CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Liberal dons tolerate American state (7) 5. Judge of mince pies providing some humour (7)

9. Exposed snakes showed signs of distress (9)

10. Dud shade (5) 11. Carnivore heading for lair put on speed (5) 12. Architect ultimately devising natural alternative to tiles (9) 14. Not getting enough — hundred euros in change (14)

17. Banned athlete sadly submits, the worse for wear (3,2,3,6)

21. Gallant vicar with child briefly out of hand (9)

23. Vigorous, if in need of practice, having changed sides (5) 24. Oddly for each thousand you get a mutant (5)

25. Thirsting for blood, as was McCarthy, mostly? (6,3)

26. Large mammal gets last of prey — it's a chancy business (7) 27. Return of stone edging even less healthy for plant support (7)

DOWN

1. Saw Times superior to Express (6)

2. British measure time fielder has to catch (4,3)

3. Spirited mum collects one, on coming first

(9)

4. Search on the ground for brick, in last resort (5,6)

5. Old invader's unfinished project (3) 6. Small portion of broccoli causing complaint (5)

7. Gross politician, one visiting boozer (7) 8. Newton, say, engrossed in study, finally forgave dissident (8)

13. Severe stress some of Proust's characters may be under? (5,6) 15. Bias current medic's shown facing a cut in surgery (9)

16. Offer short clue that's defective but compelling (8)

18. Most banal customs dividing races (7) 19. Ne'er-do-well king borne in litter by learner (7)

20. The last place, perhaps, to introduce unknown stars (6) 22. Joint from an ungulate served up (5) 25. Backward throw (3)