CRYPTIC CROSSWORD DOWN

ACROSS

1 The blessed hosiery items (6,5)

9 Love to find a vehicle in a musical instrument (7)

10 The morning before our love affair (5)

11 Skill in finding some nicknacks (5)

12 Having squares vetted (7) 13 Jack and Les are aristocrats (6)

15 Girl with a shirt that is a shade of red (6)

18 Western source of wealth? (7)

20 Avoid the girl of the French (5)

22 The smallest amount could be stale (5)

23 Aid must be redirected to the arena (7)

24 Compromise with contented spiritualist (5,6) 2 A bad actor to ring over in Nebraska (5)

3 Do the French run slowly? (7) 4 Subtle difference in sister concealing article at church (6) 5 Are to possibly speak (5) 6 One criticising something on a door (7)

7 Type of story told by males (4-3-4)

8 Hire purchase, never-never, etc. (6,5)

14 Prohibit Irish singer getting a neckerchief (7)

16 Pull fish over towards the sheltered side (7)

17 Money demanded by the Romans perhaps? (6)

19 Like an unreturned tennis ball put on backwards (3,2) 21 Said when taking French leave? (5)