CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

AGONISING OVER ANSWERS?

For today’s solutions call: 0906 601 0421. Calls cost 60p per minute at all times. Service provided by Advanced Telecom Services. Complaints and Service Provider: 0330 333 6946. Please note that Payphones, mobile phones & non BT network provider charges may vary.

ACROSS 1 William’s on watch for poster (11) 9 Alive and kicking? (2,3,4) 10 You had a way with raising agent (5) 11 Two thirds of the wine came from the island (4) 12 Would it light up a seance? (6,4) 14 A drifter went round split (4) 15 Tom endures suffering that is awe-inspiring! (10) 19 Barrow boy initially takes you and me on old form of transport (10) 20 Some grey otters on the island (4) 21 Parts of books petite gals damaged (5,5) 23 Mountain pass contained single spring (4) 25 Dog consumed egg for tea (5) 27 Rugby player in pantomime (9) 28 Frank at open-plan ski resort (5-6)

DOWN 1 Face a fight first – here? (11) 2 Vegetable lasagne starter – yikes! (4) 3 Do without women (4,5) 4 Loafer left in dire trouble (5) 5 State Pennsylvania’s chief element (8) 6 Sea inlet in the Adriatic (3) 7 Private mountain climbing? That’s absolute nonsense (8) 8 Pest removed in one’s stride (4) 13 Is it painful to write this in the paper? (5,6) 16 For catching vermin, it has been successful in the long run (9) 17 Paying old Bob before letting out (8) 18 Nothing in beer a clergyman brought up used as moisturising agent (4,4) 21 Kind face (4) 22 When bird becomes pale (5) 24 Bill not left in Dickensian house (4) 26 50 per cent of fish sleep (3)