30-MINUTE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7 Wine used after the funerals (6)

8 Old PC Skinner (6)

10 It’s a scandal, but not in the height of fashion!

(7) 11 & 18Ac Lovers aren’t liberated in imagination! (5-4)

12 They are used for fuel records (4)

13 Branch of the media to show some urgency (5)

17 Recover from a number of strokes (5)

18 See 11 Across 22 & 15Dn A criminal demolition contractor! (5-7)

23 One of the main courses! (3-4)

24 Smart enough to remodel the statue (6)

25 Changes wedding venues, by the sound of it (6)

DOWN

1 Base involving fifty in Boeing crash (7)

2 Loss of a theatrical fixture after the end of the show (7)

3 Keep in a learner — it’s connected

with punishment (5)

4 It’s not altruistic to market sea-food, we hear (7)

5 Put fifty in debenture — that’s fair (5)

6 Makes entreaties for commendation, by the sound of it (5)

9 Cruel description of one without a suit (9)

14 Famous battle colour (7)

15 See 22 Across 16 A set-back about lyrical writing (7)

19 He may be found in a wrong act (5)

20 Takes a gamble, as the footballer does (5) 21 Tracks made by birds (5)

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

Across:

3 Proposals;

8 Dies;

9 Testatrix;

10 Eyelid;

11 Sheet;

14 Three;

15 Rows;

16 Dress;

18 Slav;

20 Cache;

21 Letts;

24 Slewed;

25 Penetrate;

26 Down;

27 Starboard.

Down:

1 Advertise;

2 Rehearsal;

4 Reed;

5 Pitch;

6 Sitter;

7 Laid; Timed;

11 Seems;

12 Touchwood;

13 Ascendant;

17 Scale;

19 Veneer;

22 Torso;

23 Feet;

24 Stir.