CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Sort of lock a sidecar on a motorcycle (11)

8. Sudden thrust a diver will make, topless (5)

9. Is briskly cheerful at the takeaway fried fish shop (7)

10. Bunting still available as loot ran out (7)

11. The finger that lists the contents (5)

12. Start out with Highland leader to his valley (6)

14. Whiten a half-blue with an appearance at church (6)

18. Let one down by not beginning to bloom (5)

19. A mistake in print that’s not figurative (7)

21. A stroller might give one an earful about the North (7)

23. Hoaxing game of pool not finished in science fiction (5)

24. Love old Bess to make it in this vein (5,6)

DOWN

1. Name nothing American unfeeling (7)

2. Gigantic men sort it out (7)

3. Beau makes one give cards to a perfect beauty (5)

4. Mysterious bit of the vernacular can explain it (6)

5. Letter will do for name in the first place (7)

6. A favourite tip for a brief shut-eye (3)

7. One less hairy form of unknown rock-rabbit (5)

13. Fish that, if tin, might sink one (7)

15. Venus, or the characters that make one jumpy (7)

16. Giving assistance with the pull, he gets round end of skiff (7)

17. Ruddy-faced as a lord, if upset (6)

18. High attic at end of belfry (5)

20. Flavour is a matter of discrimination (5)

22. White vestment is, in weight, a pound (3)

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Freedom 5. Strange 9. Registrar 10. Gorse 11. Until

12. Exonerate 13. Affection 16. Skint 17. Nears 18. Testament

20. Eccentric 23. Tribe 25. Flint 26. Imperfect 27. Lies low 28. Indulge Down: 1. Formula 2. Eight 3. Displaces 4. Morse 5. Surrounds

6. Rogue 7. Narrative 8. Everest 14. Franchise 15. Interview

16. Scattered 17. Needful 19. Trestle 21. Natal 22. Capri 24. Ideal