Double trouble

Each clue leads to two answers which differ from each other by one letter. You must decide which is the correct one. For example, the two possible answers to 10A are HOSTA and HOSTS — the answer to 7D will reveal which one is correct.

ACROSS

1 Unit of distance equal to 1760 yards Ł

Eight-legged parasite (4)

3 Removed clothes Ł

Secured with a piece of leather? (8)

9 Pattern named after a Renfrewshire town Ł

Garnishing herb (7)

10 Plant with ornamental foliage Ł

Comperes (5)

11 Welcome Ł Inexperienced (5)

12 Round close-fitting hat Ł

— Ecclestone, former Formula One chief (6) 14 — Craven, US horror film director Ł

Married (3)

16 Odourless noble gas Ł

Piece of wood that fits a mortise (5)

18 Distant Ł Hearing organ (3)

19 Drinks noisily Ł Drops suddenly (6)

21 Vision Ł Breathes out wearily (5)

24 Cook with dry heat Ł

Rule the —, be in charge (5)

25 Plunder Ł

— People, group who had 1978 hit Y.M.C.A (7) 27 Hesitating Ł Using a garden hose? (8)

28 Flower stalk Ł Give the impression (4)

DOWN

1 Implement for washing floors Ł

Cut (grass on a lawn) (3)

2 Two people conceived at the same time Ł

Interweave (5)

4 Scotland’s longest river Ł Financial levy (3) 5 Daisy-like flower Ł

Jane —, actress and baking expert (5) 6 Enormous Ł Lacking assertive qualities (7) 7 Distribute cards after shuffling Ł Cure (4) 8 Mercury or Venus, eg Ł

—, Trains and Automobiles, 1987 film (6) 11 Scattered (seeds) Ł Item of formal attire (4) 12 Sham Ł Extra payment for work done (5) 13 Badly behaved youngster Ł Trounce (4) 15 Had a disagreement (4, 3) Ł

Fully booked show (7)

17 Lie snugly Ł Stinging weed (6)

20 Alma —, one’s school or university Ł

Creator (5)

22 Pig sound Ł Allowance (5)

23 Gloat, boast Ł Cut very short (4)

25 Ashen Ł Tradesman’s vehicle (3)

Ł

26 Tall deciduous tree

Ernie —, South African golfer (3)