CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Some procrastination over the first democratic union (9) 6 Rips up 19 across, getting mixed up, as it ends in a crying fit (5) 9 Was about to take on a colliery, at the end, but had a break (7) 10 It’s good to find love in Paris romance (7) 11 Sergeant-major had a drink in a small US city (5) 12 Real feeling of passion as tension mounts (9) 13 In the past, got money back from one living abroad (2-3) 14 Dug up hidden treasure, for example, and brought them to light (9) 17 Earmarked shares for a lecturer who is in place (9) 19 Levy of local taxes, in the past, could end in tears (5) 21 Is a lotion prepared to help one when in retreat (9) 24 Had little time for a new attempt to have a dance ... (5) 26 ... and a close friend had a little time to copy things (7) 27 Elevate Noel and Ben to the peerage (7) 28 Find a good eyepiece to capture the depth of some narrow valleys (5) 29 After the trial, had the last word, at last. It’s a covenant (9)

DOWN

1 Moves at speed when playing in a local game (5) 2 Hold out for a friend coming back on a final circuit (4,3) 3 A foolish person had a graduate in charge. It’s natural (9) 4 Wants to have new wine, inevitably (5,4) 5 Was Nigel forced to support a city team up north? (5) 6 Create a headdress, and take it back to an artist (5) 7 To get rid of an overhead shot in return is hard (7) 8 Have one day in calm surroundings on Sunday (9) 13 Former associate involved in excavation is taking a close look at things (9) 15 Finish having tantrums. It only exposes one to loss (9) 16 Hope to create a fictitious land of romance on the continent (9) 18 Lies about one on demand to hero-worship another (7) 20 Team losing one player can still be credible (7) 22 Provided a service in order to clean up (5) 23 Popular record, over time, becomes irrelevant (5) 25 Spend too much time there. It’s quite evident (5)