CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 One may use force to reach a girl, but need to co-operate (4,8)

8 At the end, declines as time passes (7) 9 Makes an appearance and goes to the top (5,2)

11 In the grip of immorality. It’s not right (4) 12 Decline to let oneself go, but leave the straight and narrow (10)

14 Settle down in lodge when sent off to the French (6)

15 Is about to get insurance for leading seaman, but gets it all back (8) 17 Arrange sponsorship of gold with some herbs (8)

19 Is about to be behind schedule, but can still connect (6)

22 Aims far too high when going too far (4,3,3) 23 Long to get into teacher training (4) 25 Gave up the ghost, and might have gone to 7

DOWN

1 Cavorts with priest at a new church on Sunday (7)

2 Finally, left a good man to stay on (4) 3 Tried to get checked out in critical examination (6)

4 Gad about there, one assumed (8) 5 Reflected on how one ended up quite upset (6,4)

6 Captivate seven getting round US city (7) 7 Have faith in an after life, in spite of expression of disbelief (7,5)

10 Urge one to deliver official information to the media (5,7) 13 Tried to get close in order to be confined (10)

16 Hang over one without energy, having confidence in him (6,2)

18 Aspire to get to the high point of the church (7)

20 They hold things fast, in the main (7) 21 Benefactors include first night in some ways (6)

24 Took a chance on a Greek character (4)