CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7. Too many usurers about for it to be safe for bathing! (5-8)

8. Almost watch a right-wing place for looking up (11)

12. A popular look for a bird (male) (6)

14. Oddly opposite, without ups and downs (6)

16. A bill, a different version of which is formed by lips (6)

18. Overheads to be reentered among the stakes (6)

19. Prompt, stupid ox, that is, to be muddled with the East (11)

23. Something to be solved at one State is questionable (13)

DOWN

1. Show no end, nothing more, to frighten birds away (4)

2. Gets ready to fight branches of service (4)

3. I’m coming up with posh car, gold: reflect! (6)

4. Left the ends off to turn towards and wipe it out (6)

5. Some of the wool socks have turned up? Capital! (4)

6. Most light for signallers (4)

9. It’s not the orchestra stalls you can put your hat in! (4-3)

10. Poem is around, around the beginning of an epic (7)

11. They are extra to batsman’s beginning? Certainly! (4)

12. The note is everything, and how it will irritate one! (4)

13. Time for finishing one further opera (3)

15. One in half of 6 will stand in rivalry (3)

17. It may take one up on board and run in the hose (6)

18. Put something on a bit of light to give up treacherously (6)

19. Girl held by oyster loses head to nobleman (4)

20. Non-u bus will get back up first for drinking-stops (4)

21. Don’t include half the space? It follows! (4)

22. It is held influentially to incline from side to side (4)