LATERAL THINKING: CRYPTIC

Use the cryptic clues to solve this crossword with a twist.

ACROSS

1. Shows ad about tails (7) 4. Stands carrying right threads (7) 7. The French sea bird spotted round northern light (7) 8. Swayed vocally towards leather (5) 10. Tod leaves all to deviate with ease (9)

12. Maria’s heading off to give opera solos (5)

13. Rescue bear I let out (8) 15. Sensual queen of ears? (6) 17. Saint gets older legs (6)

19. Give permission to go after haggard knight’s glove (8) 21. Extra clause about jockey (5) 22. Ian and I in trouble at the end of chasm in Ethiopia, previously (9) 25. Totally exhausted having been on a shopping spree (5)

26. When gang leader departs, grab bits of cottontails (7) 27. Bewildered studs in state of

undress? (7)

28. Sons found around ten unusual poems (7)

DOWN

1. Ably sells renovated units, in a word (9)

2. Invalidate section of Australian Nullarbor (5)

3. Anne’s back with the purgative (5)

4. Little Sidney went first, moved furtively (6)

5. Art saunters out to where he will eat well (11)

6. Met up on board to get plant parts (5)

9. One hundred caught in rising tide, according to decree (5) 11. Spiny creatures? (11) 14. Heartbeat chart sounds easy? Gee! (1,1,1)

16. Slash girls with pirate swords (9)

18. Confuse some saddlers (5) 20. Dispatches telegram for steel ropes (6) 21. Got up because of stupid siren (5) 23. Stories that are spun? (5)

24. Listen! Who is nigh? Eve? How innocent! (5)