Cryptic crossword

Across

1 Near the end (5)

6 Plays in the Proms (5) 9 Former edict possibly getting you worked up (7)

10 A noisy instrument to

play? (5)

11 Figures out one is wrong to have bitterness (5) 12 Shareholders quick to

move? (5)

13 Being heavy on fuel

can be ominous! (7) 15 Unite in various

ways (3)

17 A singularly effective

blow (4)

18 As entertainment, nice change for an academic? (6) 19 Provider of ample

syrup? (5)

20 Imperial backer of art

at the year's start (6) 22 In France, receptacle

for a cigarette end? (4) 24 Chicken provided by

the Nag's Head (3)

25 Excuse a seaman having to find the answer (7)

26 Rushes to make

pleas (5)

27 Safety devices a leader of fashion employs? (5)

28 The premises you need

in partnership (5) 29 Youngster playing with

rattles (7)

30 As a fine description,

substantial (5)

31 Under a strain at

present? (5)

Down

2 She has a number to

nail up (6)

3 Crossword compiler's

dog? (6)

4 River no longer

noted? (3)

5 Last chance to have

no end of a fling! (5) 6 Dream of the priest by

the lake (7)

7 Does wrong to

compose poems (4)

8 To perm in a way that's not permanent (3,3) 12 We're all in this

race (5)

13 Great stream of

froth? (5)

14 American getting ten out of ten at the space centre (5)

15 The floral contribution of autumn from boy (5) 16 John acted with true

grit (5)

18 Coshes the little beasts round the corner (5)

19 In time, joke with

great dignity (7) 21 What to do when

offered rubbish (6) 22 Animal comparable to

the skunk? (6) 23 Special occasions

worry Steven (6)

25 A bit on the side (5) 26 Lets loose just in

case (4)

28 Might it fly like a

raven? (3)