CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

4 Regular current recession (7)

8 Private bitterness is heard (6)

9 Describing one who takes part but isn’t fit (7)

10 It’s expected to produce negative results (6)

11 Support the action of armed gangsters (4,2)

12 Proved to be a bigger bounder (8)

18 Now to end confusion, moderate the volume (4,4)

20 To be so tied will make you speechless (6)

21 Stir created by feature of old-time dress (6)

22 Makes sure the clothing is suitable in store, maybe (5,2)

23 Used by those who walk tall (6)

24 The main team patronised by holidaymakers (7)

DOWN

1 Expanse of farmland needs alternative mechanised equipment (7)

2 Impart some spirit in a team that’s been reorganised (7)

3 A qualification that indicates some latitude (6)

5 Become more cheerful when berthing for a change (8)

6 Try to get the ball from the rigging (6)

7 America is after the record for throwing this (6)

13 So I’d tear a starfish apart (8)

14 They provide openings for nearly everybody in the docks (7)

15 The opposite to how prose is written? (7)

16 The direction of the river from the source (6)

17 Doesn’t object to some of the meagre estimates (6)

19 The purest mixture bursts forth (6)

Yesterday’s solutions:

Across: 1 Pretty penny. 9 Eye. 10 Good taste. 11 Locks. 13 Elitist. 14 Apathy. 16 Veneer. 18 Headman. 19 Beset. 20 Retailers. 21 Col. 22 Orderliness.

Down: 2 Rye. 3 Tagus. 4 Yeomen. 5 Entwine. 6 Nastiness. 7 Aeolian harp. 8 Death-rattle. 12 Character. 15 Hem-line. 17 Unveil. 19 Basin. 21 Cos.