CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Friend put last of ketchup on his chop (5) 4. No agent found out what ships weighed (7) 8. Complicated set of instructions with a grim role to play (9) 9. One must take part: it’s the law (3) 10. Nude man appeared not to be given a title (7) 12. Association represented by black trefoil pips (4) 14. One’s position in life is not as it might be (7) 17. Oh, dear, another name for one being lost! (4) 18. Has his hydrogen used with hemp for smoking (7) 20. The top recognition for national team player (3) 21. Complex gives one trait nice to sort out (9) 23. Heartfelt way one puts the scene right (7) 24. Apply pressure on end of box-tree perhaps (5)

DOWN 1. How mice scan crust with a view to the financial position (13) 2. Get run out, being in pressing need of attention (6) 3. Pay metal out for one to have games with (8) 4. To include women with how many it takes to tango (3) 5. Have to have been born as a woman on the day (4) 6. Real BA wangled it, though fit for ploughing (6) 7. Permanent staff is French in its abbreviated form (13) 11. Pay for oneself to go with it from the Netherlands (5) 13. Plot with others on prices being switched (8) 15. Take place of nap he quietly got into (6) 16. Sort of radio to talk foolishly about one (6) 19. Fish that was used as a weapon (4) 22. Support for ball comes before you hear of it (3)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 2. Plump 5. Vamp 7. Smew 8. Currency 9. Harmless 11. Load 12. Personalities 15. Whey 17. Touching 19. Catacomb 21. Cube 22. Stum 23. Knave Down 1. Compare 2. Paw 3. Uncle 4. Perusal 5. Vie 6. Mocha 10. Misty 11. Latch 13. Network 14. Ennoble 16. Heart 18. Umbra 20. Arm 21. Cue