CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 7. Long ribbon judges take from reel-to-reel machines (4,9) 8. A vein bled, so solve it a different way (5,6)

12. The successful contestant in Wren composition (6) 14. Made screw thread and got money from somebody (6) 16. A short sleep Tom will give as his favourite tip (6) 18. Reach one’s goal as 15 give it a turn (6) 19. Steelwork for an execution-place in Gateshead (11) 23. These are boxed for those who want to get off (8,5)

DOWN

1. Charles, for one, appeared with the mint sauce (4)

2. A public protest may do me a turn (4)

3. Person who joins the West with a church office-holder (6) 4. As powerful as drug used by hospital department (6) 5. Fashions were not begun with lyric verses (4)

6. It may be an examination of the mouth (4)

9. Until AC is rendered, he’s crazy (7)

10. Give the reason why axle-pin gets bent (7) 11. Garden was perfect for a former British PM (4)

12. A village one may put a flame to (4)

13. It is time for a girl to lose her head (3)

15. Model of industry seen in Cuban tobacco-factory (3) 17. Get the bird for self-advertisement in the end (6) 18. Assert everybody for instance is facing east (6) 19. There’s a place for prospective buyers in Cheshire (4) 20. Is stricken with wonder at a moisture that turns up (4) 21. One will almost get to one’s feet for the flag (4)

22. One easy to swindle gets the bird (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Fundraising 7. Machine 9. Skew

11. Coves 12. Burden 14. Prodigality 18. Livery 20. Union 22. Text

23. Athlete 24. Animalcules

Down 2. Uncover 3. Apex 4. Naked 5. Smack 6. Swank 8. Insiders

10. Furlough 13. Age 15. Trireme 16. Cloth 17. Sneer 19. Vixen 21. Fall