CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Horsey type with no tail and a steer have a special day in the middle of September (or March) (7)

5. Sounds like a donkey & alien in a collection is a benefit (5)

8. Criminal with a degree can bring it home (5)

9. Big cat is paroled (7)

10. Kelly goes back to study (3)

11. Six head northeast to find climbing plant (4)

12. Beachboy removes baby for good vibration (4)

14. Tie Ron up on the express (6)

15. One hundred pumas were found around the University (6)

17. One of two pipe fittings are successful (4)

18. Staff union leader is on the bill of fare (4)

19. Wand of a certain length (3)

21. Get two rings before the first of November on the French bridge boat (7)

23. Sinai vegans admitted they are artless (5)

24. Slide sideways? (5)

25. Lu gets the mumps served up in one hit (4,3)

Down

1. Firmly enclose in problem bedclothes (5)

2. Unrestricted and unlearned (13)

3. Odd Tory leader, therefore nothing happened (8)

4. Carboxyl energised and involved a solvent (6)

5. Commercial on the first of October creates a fuss (3)

6. Patriarchs see about packs of seekers (6,7)

7. Outside can be boring (7)

13. Skylab urn umbrage contains a flowering tree (8)

14. Sea creature creates musical work on a short month (7)

16. Conker Nellie had still had casing (6)

20. Nightmare turned ma red (5)

22. Indebted, put alternatively back into redwood (3)