CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. State’s main part — officers briefly guard it (4,7)

9. English singer visits writer’s consulate (7)

10. Somehow submerge topless tankard (4,3)

11. I leave after conclusion of enterprise (3)

12. Superior officer cuts remedy for tillage (7)

13. Hermit dealing with complicated clues (7)

14. Some people advocate green area (3)

15. Fish initially occupy low part (5)

17. Italian in old Sierra leaves (5)

18. Service trainee’s course starting on awkward date (5)

20. Teacher returns with HM,

one of several on flight (5) 22. Aggressive type son rolled

over (3)

24. Rock band entertains

almost silent mass (7)

25. Surrounding adjacent

quarters within range (7) 26. Damage stuff that’s sent

back (3)

27. US ace married Heather

(7)

28. Article lambasted musical

performance (7)

29. Big swimmer seen in the largest of the Balearics finally (6,5)

Down

1. Butcher squabbled with

EU bank to get food (6,3,6)

2. Underworld thug almost raised alarm (7)

3. Tax collection system traps English receiver of cheque (5)

4. It’s hard going in Airbus

loo during turbulence (9)

5. Note about clear flexible sticky stuff (7)

6. Where do locals gather? This suggests university (9,6)

7. Artist uses this enclosure,

one among 150 (6)

8. A good forecaster picked up matches (6)

16. South Carolina ferret in pitched battle? (9)

18. Enclose Republican in pink

(6)

19. Minor quartet within hearing (7)

21. Woman’s beer stirred with odd bits of cocoa (7)

23. Trunk holds dry container (6)

25. Top off slender missile (5)