CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Neil Lennon weirdly left out in a sign of something wrong for Aberdonian songwriter (5,6)

8 Sign of something right in middle-age – failure could be potentially explosive (7,4)

11 Writer had headed west to the middle of Ireland (4)

12 First signs of eagle reintroduced, nearing extinction (4)

13 Barrel in winding road leading to circular building (7)

15 Former queen and king surrounded by flesh of African mammal (7)

16 Second storyteller, we hear, is more artful (5) 17 See 28

18 Universities holding openings for new arrivals, leading to sloth (4)

19 Some Nicaraguan organic fertiliser (5) 21 Incorrectly hired with an order of succession (7)

22 Bank operations brought about in focus (7) 23 Ignoring the odds, impastos make thick coverings (4)

26 What neds can get stuck with, like a bad smell (4)

27/10 An 1Ac 24Dn 14Dn airs, breaking up religious ceremony (5,2,4,11)

28/17 Omnivorously chewed up, swallowing last bits of cake and sausage and last Rolo for 1Ac hit (2,4,1,4,4)

DOWN

2 Nothing to getting hold of last of vodka – one could be hammered (4)

3 In peanut company publicity, stamps required to apply pressure (7)

4 See 19

5 Dainty eater gets bravo in Berlin broadcast (7) 6 See 25

7 A dame adopting shirty disposition – a most regrettable circumstance (1,5,5)

8 Group of 1Ac – True Scottish assembly has no Conservative (3,8)

9 Long breaks gone off at beginning of summer, upon which 1Ac walked (6,5)

10 See 27 Across

14 See 24

15 Assets held up using a term regularly (5)

19/4 On final approach, heading for shore (5,2,4) 20 Pick one degree student as ideal (7)

24/14 Saul Bloom makes ex-band member’s recording (4,5)

25/6 Foolishly mooned around hollow tree and adore setter (4,2,2)

26 Partially overseas, over sea (4)