JAMES CABOOTER

Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same.

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

Circulate butter, say (6) Reportedly obstruct some states (4)

7 Creepy-sounding lake (4)

8 Reprieve is equal to professor (6) 9 New arts supremo (4)

10 Lollies of nice size (4)

12 Firm with graduate in stupor (4) 14 Low-flying hunter (3)

16 Drink of character, say (3)

17 Hear about a bird (4)

20 Permit six, as ordered (4)

23 Not far from one argument (4) 24 Sensitive offer (6)

25 Willing gambler among mediocre employees initially (4) Still in the venture (4)

Harm barrier, with time (6) 1 4 26 27

DOWN

Great purse, ruined (5)

Unusual not to be well done (4) Material that’s mined in a new way (5)

Chewed European snack (4) Instruction not to wear so much (6)

She can be heard at Christmas (5)

Acne treatment is a punishment (4)

Soar off using paddles (4)

Herb takes Virginia to be wild (6)

16 Get in trouble a bit (5)

18 Loathed to laugh at Edward (5) 19 Number working there (5)

21 Land in terrible rain (4)

22 Aide made odd impression (4) Solutions in next week’s

Sunday Mirror

1 2 3

4 5

6

11

13 15

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

Scatter (6)

Group of countries (4) Great Lake (4) Forgive (6) Russian ruler (4) Covers a cake (4) Unconscious state (4) Nocturnal predator (3) Beverage (3) Flightless bird (4)

20 Travel permit (4) 23 Close (4)

24 Sore (6)

25 Pastime (4)

26 Level (4)

27 Injury (6) 1 4

7 8 9 10 12

14

16 17

DOWN

Wonderful (5) Seldom seen (4) Tough fabric (5) Nibble (4)

Period of teaching (6) Festive hymn (5) Bamboo stem (4) Sculls (4)

Brutal (6)

Shade (5) Detested (5) Number (5) Middle Eastern republic (4)

22 Notion (4) 1 2 3 4 5

6 11 13 15 16 18 19 21

Solutions in next week’s Sunday Mirror