CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Stand in grate and press (7)

5. Like fledglings, flutter around posh females (6)

9. Informer goes over to be in Paris hideout (7)

10. He wrote operas across in Italian houses (7)

11. Like top of hollow tree (3)

12. Refurbish decrepit lab as expected (11)

13. Saucy dance? (5)

14. Arrange a smart crew at the front for old soldier (3-2-4)

16. Team request extra dish (4,5)

17. Sheepish old grape supplier (5)

19. Local representative or flat-pack expert? (11)

22. Decorate kitchen every so often (3)

23. Nearly all of Tasmania displayed endurance (7)

24. Bloke retrieved timeless leg bone somewhere in Africa (7)

26. About to hand over 9 (6)

27. Regular visitor’s tone impresses somewhat (7)

Down

1. Arab brings up money that’s owed (7)

2. Deploy teams scheduled to control current tree problem (5,3,7)

3. Deer found in Rhodes in odd places (3)

4. Section of unit retrieving saltpetre (5)

5. Pretender maybe captures old king, one from abroad (9)

6. Son probing classy favourite’s illness (5)

7. Flighty person unwisely lit fire, engulfing books on scaffold (15)

8. Sundry explorers of wrecks (6)

12. Architect’s instrument (5)

14. Daughters cut benefit when spread appears? (6,3)

15. Old letter a source of discomfort (5)

16. It’s hard to find article in press surprisingly (6)

18. Lift European tax shelter controls (7)

20. Principal eastern state (5)

21. Norwegian artist, one leaving German city (5)

25. Criminals start to make outside broadcast (3)