LATERAL THINKING: CRYPTIC

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

ACROSS

8. Lad, never rearrange purple flowers (8)

9. Sara to repair main arteries (6)

10. Exotic hat would suit odd characters in frenzy (3)

11. You and I, wicked vermin! (6)

12. Shooed ducks out of hut (4)

14. Escape route for jet? (6,4)

17. Fit star out initially (2,5)

18. Good-humoured original jest about sight (7)

19. Kitchen hand added metal ring to plate (10)

22. Tool taken back in exchange for plunder (4)

23. Onion or chicken after season (6)

24. Made by beaver or mother horse (3)

26. Extent of qualification (6)

27. Make up item to look at cruise ship (8)

DOWN

1. Type of dish from small town that depends on another (9)

2. “Hardly any? Phew!” we exclaimed (3)

3. Gave a plug for David’s tree? Wild! (10)

4. Postscript taken from trips via petty details (6)

5. Lisa designed spinnaker (4)

6. Quick way to learn about restoring failed computers? (5,6)

7. Bags for suits? (5)

13. Farming article guru rewrote (11)

15. Gangster closed an eye when led up the garden path (10)

16. Thanks Kay for entering into career of janitor (9)

20. One who instigates rally (6)

21. Managed to shake off first person when copied (5)

23. Who predicts seller will lose a hundred? (4)

25. Part of old pen thrown back in wastepaper basket (3)