CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

1. Dare one alter? It's ‘Ell getting back in! (9)

5. Fit to be worn, they say, if one can tell a better story (3)

7. One singing and getting involved in choral tonality (4)

8. Part of evening dress trousers for the strikebreaker? (8)

10. Being insouciant, one won't let it matter so much (8)

11. To make cotton, a topping activity (4)

13. Took from another boy going to bed (6)

15. Is overflowing with aliments, about a litre (6)

18. It has its members, the mace (4)

19. Almost arrive at flat country grouse (8)

22. Ponder how to act as go-between involving first of two (8)

23. One of the ancient elements to get rid of (4)

24. Rolls, perhaps, round in the bracken (3)

25. For each an opportunity, it could be (9)

▶ Down

1. Writer who would burn, holding the wrong cue (7)

2. Make necessary adjustments to 'old 'orse by (5)

3. On return, the French craft is every bit as much (2,4)

4. Every one will ache to get the last ahead (4)

5. Song with which one plays around in company (7)

6. The heathen discovers silver in the prospector's dish (5)

9. In bed, the French apply leeches (5)

12. Smacks of about fifty fools (5)

14. First two of 9 beneath making a clumsy move (7)

16. Frank or Ernie's confused about Charles the First (7)

17. Concierge left with Jerry regularly (6)

18. Funny man young reader might take in hand (5)

20. Strange position for a golf ball in an environment (5)

21. Hamsters and guineapigs moving up a pace? (4)