CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1

Copper’s missing case finds little creature in crowds ( 6)

4 Elvis hosts odd carnival, out of place near Aviemore ( 8)

9 See 25

10 Writes off faulty steering wheels in 25Ac 9Ac 30Ac ( 8)

12 Book covers necessity for secure 9Ac ( 8)

13 Austen or Dickensian characters as type of 9Ac ( 6)

15 Newsreader on the 24Dn ( 4)

16 Big Ben scale becomes 25Ac 9Ac 30Ac ( 5,5)

19 “Fly to Romeo!”: tragic horseplay ( 10)

20 Indian city area having four sea termini ( 4)

23 Alternative to 13Ac tree by a loch ( 6)

25/ 9/ 30 Highland business going downhill? ( 8,6,6)

27 Confused noises amongst disheartened supporters binges ( 8)

28 Show up listener, keeping very quiet ( 6)

29 Leaders of the House vote to hold Midlothian 25Ac 9Ac 30Ac ( 3,5)

30 See 25

DOWN 1

Girl catching unusual but ultimate method of getting home ( 4,3)

2 Starts to go round Minorca at random as 25Ac 9Ac 30Ac ( 9)

3 Burns on pudding face – is nose put out of joint? ( 6)

5 Vegetating python ( 4)

6 High points in study trips ( 8)

7 Starts to accuse perpetrator, having investigated disgusting pest ( 5)

8 Surrounded by merriment, corporal enters 25Ac 9Ac 30Ac ( 7)

11 Writer emptied handbag thoroughly before introduction to story ( 2,5)

14 Played in bagpipe recital, Oldmeldrum community hall primarily ( 7)

17 Slack short nightie with new terylene front ( 9)

18 Disadvantage of relegated team ( 8)

19 Van that posted packages are in? ( 7)

21 Source of wood heaters struggling ( 3,4)

22 Plain part of dance exercise ( 6)

24 Source of pandemic on fresh site of 9Ac route ( 5)

26 Cross during bank holiday ( 4)