CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Join the police when it's legally binding

(4,4,5)

10 Some staff in charge are a bit crazy (5)

11 Be kind to performers. One gets the same

roles again and again (9)

12 Heather was caught up in some long grass

when looking for small active birds (9)

13 Canes trained to feature in an opera ... (5)

14 ... and as a backdrop, at some stage (7)

16 Did a little boy return to impair things, or to

ransack the place (7)

18 In the beginning, summoned one to get

worked up (7)

20 Some ran off to complain about things (7)

21 Gets close to getting involved in linear

systems (5)

23 Made trams run through a capital place

abroad (9)

25 Moon about in a dependent state in space

(9)

26 Some soldiers have one working with a

mighty hunter (5)

27 Men drive in state, forced to take notice (13)

Down

2 At one time took a turn, but it carried little

weight (5)

3 Do better in a fast period. That's superb (9)

4 Apart from being involved, but also in a

legendary double act (3,4)

5 After work, set a question for those showing

resistance (7)

6 Old cars turned up with large animals, in the

main (5)

7 Something else, with 6 down, is cooked up in

a large pan (9)

8 Might a painter have to leave his mark at

first? (13)

9 Found some workers, at the end, taking on

the ruling class (13)

15 Was delighted with a spell of sorcery (9)

17 It's not required, but has space to

accommodate guests (5,4)

19 One creates a record, day after day (7)

20 Old painters gain control of things with

spades (7)

22 Loves to get organised in order to work

things out (5)

24 May condescend to name French novelist ,

in return (5)