DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

Across

1 Striker’s in good shape,

ready for competition (5,3)

6 Real eccentric aristocrat (4)

8 Firm near damaged

eye part (6)

9 Itches to develop moral

principles (6)

10 One moves in favour

of problem (8) 13 Require massage,

we hear (4)

14 Lower card ie played

with timidity (9)

17 Mule, perhaps, finding last

of tasteless weed (4)

18 Prepares for danger of mineral located in agricultural estates (8)

19 Distributes thin papers with

no heading (6) 21 Dress – in a rubber

ring, say! (6)

23 Large plant found

in tallest reeds (4)

24 Alongside note,

crimson faded (8) Down

2 A plank on a ship (6)

3 Reconstructed part

of study (3)

4 Earmark personnel for standard support (9)

5 Draw item round

neck (3)

6 Herbal remedy, each variety swallowed in one (9)

7 Firework bringing severe reprimand (6)

11 Sue given written passage with clever ending (9)

12 Robin mixes beer

with darts (9)

15 One pursuing

another drink (6)

16 Come out with

oriental blend (6)

20 Sharp tool was

picked up (3)

22 Part of the body to exercise, initially (3)

QUICK CLUES Across

1 Hard up (for cash) (8)

6 Shipshape (4)

8 Box in (6)

9 Delicately beautiful (6)

10 Likelihood (8)

13 Coil of yarn (4)

14 Spread of disease (9)

17 Garden outhouse (4)

18 Giving up work (8)

19 Drive-surfacing material (6)

21 Starting point (6)

23 Ostracise (4)

24 In any place (8)

Down

2 Occupancy (6)

3 Alternatively named (inits)(3)

4 TV host (9)

5 Accomplished (3)

6 Person next door (9)

7 Wait on (6)

11 Male fencer (9)

12 Acrobat’s balancing wire (9)

15 Defeat thoroughly (6)

16 Supplementary building (6)

20 Crow’s call (3)

22 Golfing accessory (3)