CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Give your brain a workout! To check if you’re right, see solutions.

ACROSS

1 Applaud first class circuit (4)

3 Some of them marvel at

Austen’s heroine (4)

7 South squad is cool to build a

powerful old vessel (9)

8 Transmit message about

a mile (5)

9 Enemy activity near Oman (5)

12 Board boss can check tune (5)

13 Chore to make

earthy pigment (5)

16 I fear Cate is upset in

the dining hall (9)

17 Avoid down source (4)

18 School fund-raising fair makes

feet sore (4)

DOWN

1 Comic set out to be purely superficial (8)

2 An era returned to gladiatorial venue (5) 4 Mama took hat to meet a leader such as Ghandi (7) 5 Pals conquered mountains (4) 6 Liberty omen confused Wuthering Heights author (5,6)

1O Show me a snake using

the same title (8)

11 Ocean has calming effect? (7)

14 Arabian shore-break (5)

15 Current personal documents

are corrosive (4)