daily double

the hard way ACROSS

1 Stupefy live captive birds (6)

4 Go late possibly but go smoothly (6)

9 Troops also taking part in the scheme (7)

10 Reportedly destined to be honoured (5)

11 A bit of wood glue is needed (5)

12 In a suit designed for a hot country (7)

13 Hill town where rate of progress is limited (5-2,4)

18 What confuses pictures coming across (7)

20 Silly Annie gets confused (5)

22 Small staff a sports club takes on (5)

23 Keep getting notice (7)

24 Get out of breath being no longer fit (6)

25 First violin starts the cassette tape (6)

DOWN

1 Circumvent with the aid of a permit (6)

2 I’m coming up with French friend to US resort (5)

3 Breather taken by an underwater swimmer (7) 5 From the genteel fingers of elves (5)

6 Its rate has to be adjusted for an entertainer (7)

7 Gold transaction in terrible trouble (6)

8 Order given by teachers (11)

14 Remove all traces (7)

15 A fabric in dispute (2,5)

16 It’s not certain a doctor will come in a storm (6)

17 Wooden-faced beauty (6)

19 For the record yearbook omits upper class (5)

21 Bill has to deliver bitter (5)

the easy way ACROSS

1 Possessions of monetary value (6)

4 Firmly established (6)

9 Campaigning (7)

10 Apportion as share (5)

11 A lessening of effort (5)

12 Long tedious discussion (7)

13 Serve a useful purpose (4,2,5)

18 Early stage of development (7)

20 Expression of great approval (5)

22 Dumbfound (5)

23 In the dock (2,5)

24 To blush (6)

25 Without restriction (6)

DOWN

1 In addition (2,4)

2 Walk with self-important gait (5)

3 Crush underfoot (7)

5 Walk wearily (5)

6 Dear to the heart (7)

7 Whole (6)

8 To monitor (4,2,3,2)

14 To discharge (7)

15 Adjudicator (7)

16 Steal in small amounts (6)

17 Simultaneous firing of guns (6)

19 Coolness in danger (5)

21 Originate (5)