CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Begin with the French to give one a fright (7)

5. Story with moral about bear pal can make up (7)

9. It is a chop made from a sort of nut (9)

10. Pennies happen certainly to be included (5)

11. Part of the church is surrounded by drink (5)

12. Skirt rose unexpectedly in winter sport centre (3,6)

13. Exclude one from society of Socrates? One might! (9)

16. Pipe it’s right one can use in bar (5)

17. Smarten oneself up quietly at the skating venue (5)

18. Family head taking part chair is provided for (9)

20. Yodel a run from a song with a refrain (9)

23. Those tricked by a sort of pseud (5)

25. Send a message about a mile (1-4)

26. She’s loved by a tar: I’m on a roundabout (9)

27. Maid yet turning out during hours when it’s light (7)

28. Top deal made by a frogling (7)

DOWN

1. So apron can be made for a singer (7)

2. Fools from the South Seas (5)

3. Firm’s brand can deal with foreign currency (9)

4. Moral significance of the East shot to pieces (5)

5. Supply the New Testament to the thrifty (9)

6. Pure sort of energy may be spent in 21 (5)

7. Ammunition belt could be on a bridle (9)

8. Sporting horse with eleven terriers around it (7)

14. Try air, but go round by stream flowing into river (9)

15. Acting on spur of moment messes up lives: I’m sorting it out (9)

16. It stops one seeing Venetian enclosure (9)

17. Betoken what’s left at the finish (7)

19. One held for ransom whose hat goes crooked (7)

21. ... one being held here in India perhaps (5)

22. Substance as yet to be used for brewing (5)

24. How quietly can the joanna be played? (5)