TWO-WAY TEASER

Two sets of clues but the answers are the same

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

3 In case gun explodes it should be ever-ending (9) 7 A lot of fur lining inn as a joke (2,3) 8 Purchase involving politician is not smooth (5) 9 Lion took off – investigate! (4,4) 10 Group of words, by the sound of it, becomes ragged (5) 13 Favourite alien – after President (3) 15 It’s crazy having more than one fruit like this (6) 16 Wound up this is moved unsteadily (6) 17 Hawthorn might (3) 19 Do they have a spot marked for use in hospital? (1-4) 23 A lady in the picture (4,4) 24 Health check that could be libellous? (5) 25 Push south to place near Brighton (5) 26 Marriage victory with no points against? (4,5)

DOWN

1 Holder of post, by the way, will show this colour (6,3) 2 It’s under way from a late Labour MP (5) 3 Way to open up with one’s teeth on edge? (5) 4 A match with a saucer? (3,3) 5 He is nuts over his diet! (8) 6 Moving quickly, like crab? (5) 11 Mixer was dear to get stirred (4,5) 12 Class of goods in its infancy? (4,4) 13 Girl is one embraced by English leader (3) 14 Attempt to remove cooking vessel from pantry (3) 18 Bird fluttering to cave (6) 20 A lover of Shakespeare (5) 21 Stew is about right, but rough! (5) 22 Black one is a cannibal crawler! (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

3 Continuing forever (9) 7 For comic purposes (2,3) 8 Full of jolts, uneven (5) 9 Investigate (4,4) 10 Wears away by rubbing (5) 13 Teacher’s favourite (3) 15 A fruit (6) 16 Staggered (6) 17 Expresses possibility (3) 19 Medical beams (1-4) 23 Portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci (4,4) 24 Smudge (5) 25 Push rudely (5) 26 Marriage ceremony (4,5)

DOWN

1 Place where letters are posted (6,3) 2 Astir (5) 3 Unfasten (5) 4 Soccer match in knockout (3,3) 5 Rodent with bushy tail 6 Quick, nimble (5) 11 Mixer drink (4,5) 12 Infant welfare (4,4) 13 Miss Grier, actress (3) 14 Attempt (3) 18 Shore bird (6) 20 Ardent male lover (5) 21 Rough or grating (5) 22 Woman who has lost her husband (5)