DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC ACROSS

1 Wonderful, wonderful birthday’s beginning (6)

4 Christmas hangover? (6)

9 Greek letter hidden by secret agent (3)

10 Neither tested nor like tartan (9)

11 Criminal initially got old behind bars (5)

12 Bottoms and top – that’s a quick change! (3,4)

14 St George for England playing nation’s part? (6,5)

17 Sunny place is a potential source of trouble (7)

18 Animated with a vile concoction (5)

20 Get girder modified and set off (9)

22 Disrobing while holding sash (3)

23 Support for prisoner of war, sick at heart (6)

24 One in France exploited mint (6)

DOWN

1 Disgusting smell from small fish (6)

2 Initially police called after minor accident (5)

3 Journey on the Circle Line, perhaps? (5,4)

5 Billiards stick in line, it’s said (3)

6 Place broken kite in container where sponge is kept (4,3)

7 Arrive with extremity in the air (3,2)

8 A copper with flat given sharp treatment (11)

13 Great Dane destroyed refreshment area outdoors (3,6)

15 Could be all thin insects in here (7)

16 Refused stranger indeed (6)

17 Angry male with ram (3,2)

19 Makes smooth golf clubs (5)

21 Not entirely excellent sticky stuff (3)

QUICK ACROSS

1 Essential ingredient of concrete (6)

4 Agree (6)

9 Segment of a circle (3)

10 Healthy grub (9)

11 Turf (5)

12 Family appellation such as Smith or Jones (7)

14 Prisoner’s means of getaway (6,5)

17 Gentlemen Prefer ___, film starring Marilyn Monroe (7)

18 Entomb (5)

20 Deny, disclaim (9)

22 Increase the speed of a car’s engine (3)

23 Driving fairground attraction (6) 24 Respiratory illness (6)

DOWN

1 Small coins (6)

2 Coffee of high quality (5)

3 Journal and magazine kiosk (4-5)

5 East Sussex village near Hastings (3)

6 Temperature-reducing fluid (7)

7 Apex of a roof (5)

8 Extra cushion on a chair for a child (7,4)

13 Spatial abundance (9)

15 Lowered yourself (7)

16 Insignificant matters (6)

17 Drilled (a hole) (5)

19 Lamp (5)

21 Breathe one’s last (3)