CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28, 258

Across

1 Strange saga: flour used in sweet cake (5,4) 6 Hiccup in church following buffet (5) 9 Granted, at sea one may hit rock bottom (7) 10 Old-fashioned supporter somewhere in the field (6,3) 11 Child of three allowed to go over first (7) 12 Make a comeback? (2-5) 13 Own accommodation in the barracks? (7,8) 18 A special Sunday: convert led through in a perfect state (3-4) 20 One caught splitting gold, perhaps, being clinical (7) 22 Entrances rebuilt, becoming lively again (9) 23 Supreme, Diana at home with Italian composer (7) 24 Part of Mountie interview used as TV spin-off? (3-2) 25 Cathy’s new bloke is a sailor (9)

Down

1 Avoid team with pace (8) 2 Writing in a small room, perhaps, I will support German count on attack (8) 3 Payment taken from current allowance (6) 4 Beginning excluded, joining clique (6) 5 Four performing four dances in elaborate dress (4-4) 6 I agree to be present repeatedly on the radio (4,4) 7 Check permit for memorial (6) 8 This strike would pose an empty threat (6) 14 A form phobia (8) 15 Earnest request to take food through gate (8) 16 Avoiding reality of mass epic developing (8) 17 You need this fluid (8) 18 Rodent, cat and farm animal, climbing (6) 19 Indicate no time that river flows over (6) 20 Police force and church welcoming one measuring style (6) 21 County staff turned up on telly (6)