CRYPTICCROSSWORD

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

ACROSS

1 Take a quick look but keep back (4)

3 Lean, dusty singer (4)

7 Wild river rose to fill dam (9)

8 Material produced in sunny London (5)

9 Art returned in southwest broke the camel’s back (5)

12 Fabric used in brightly crafted cycling gear (5)

13 Argue against brute force (5)

16 Raise your hand to help lover rework tune (9)

17 Song of plunder played by medieval minstrel (4)

18 Aide revised concept (4)

DOWN

1 Rate plan adjusted for mum and dad (8)

2 Artist’s stand broke lease (5)

4 Paroled offender spotted wild cat (7)

5 Spoils go to the god of war (4)

6 See-through patterns ran amok (11)

10 Waiter is tending to climbing shrub (8)

11 Claret’s developing deep red colour (7)

14 Groomed beard for money (5)

15 Start on very attractive local cricket ground (4)