CRYP TIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Training run and jog Ben

has in city (12)

8 Consultant, regularly paid,

avoids worry (7)

9 Somewhat difficult mess

engulfing River Police officer (7) 11 Sick notes in disrepute (3,4) 12 Overheard legend resisting

wine (7)

13 Guard criminal (5)

14 A second prisoner departs, having stuffed sack and escaped (9)

16 Game's copyright superseding patent, initially it carries charge (9)

19 First sign of parish notice about

priest (5)

21 Sheer material in newspaper attracting unknown journalists essentially (7)

23 Cartoon strip that's of little

worth (7)

24 Chicken given supplements ultimately displays signs of ageing (7)

25 Nothing leads this writer, discontented refusnik, to back foreign government (7) 26 Frugal Norm, simple character confronting debts (12)

DOWN

1 Spear, article Indonesian

discards before river rises (7) 2 One kept prisoner for 18 years

under army (7)

3 Am insured to cook

for nanny (9)

4 Moral belief within Elizabeth I

consistently (5)

5 Tortilla dish, whisper

love eating it (7)

6 Son leaves showing calm

acceptance, having prevailed (7) 7 Good enough outside, it's a

fantastic small plant (12) 10 Occupation accustomed to everyday shocks and sometimes severe cutbacks? (12)

15 Coat perhaps keeps flashing

inside leg area (9)

17 Ceremonial emblems Algeria

reforms (7)

18 Lintels beginning to go for

extortionate prices (7)

19 It's not designed to cure home

with unpleasant smell (7) 20 Makes twice as many shots in

snooker? (7)

22 Tea service close to grandma

getting knocked over (5)