CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,529

Across

1 Take out and clean (5) 4 Newly-built homes, accommodating and attractive! (8)

8 Pointless massacre produces funny reaction (8) 9 Late item for the Press (8) 11 Unusually bad sign for the corporation (7)

13 Watchful braves not taken by surprise (9)

15 Sheds tears often, contrived to show compassion (4-11)

18 Go to bed in rough sea, gloomy (9)

21 Little thing that makes pet run, we hear (3,4)

22 Digs seen in disarray produces extreme irritation (8)

24 In robbery, assume one does things for fun (8)

25 Determined journalist following female donkey? (8)

26 Icing the problem? A rug’s potentially the answer (5)

Down

1 Sally is involved with transport curriculums (10) 2 Complete section of boxing match spoilt (5,3) 3 Monster insect, with another, seen around hospital (8) 4 Object of the lady’s love? (4) 5 One who might try a DIY cure? (6) 6 Capital working unit set up in middle of road (6) 7 See agent keeping up energy (4) 10 Intoxicated, so Ted bet foolishly (8) 12 Their job is to administer oaths, not sign (8) 14 Teacher after job for demanding employer (10) 16 Cavalry forces (8) 17 Developing and going round topless (8) 19 Drunk’s in ladies’ garment (6) 20 They’re used for shooting varieties of products (6) 22 Exile’s home should be fit for revolution (4) 23 Slough farm building perhaps (4)