Crossword

A prize of £15 in book tokens will be awarded for the first correct solution opened. Solutions must reach Crossword No 4494, Country Life, Pinehurst II, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7BF, by Tuesday, September 5. UK entrants only.

DOWN 2 Very healthy, if it’s fed a salad, perhaps (2,3, 2, 1, 6) 3 New pet is due to stand in (8) 4 Military spectacle—rubbish as well (6) 5 Elegant young bird without tail (4) 6 Army medic on barge in capital city (6) 7 see eye to eye about entering maturity (5) 8 Healthy food Cockneys sometimes run down? (6,3, 5) 12 Managed church farm (5) 13 Note showing alertness (5) 15 Means to support friend securing eastern passage? (8) 17 strip of pasta for a simpleton? (6) 18 Cheeky southern boy finally straddling donkey (5) 20 Knocking sound sailor set up on half of 4 (3-3) 22 For example, Othello’s uncultivated land? (4) ACROSS 1 standard getting police department’s mark of approval (9) 7 Lacking ethical standards in Feltham or Albany? (6) 9 Unattracted to outdoor game? It’s discouraging (3-7) 10 Cook’s directions fully developed outside City (6) 11 Caretaker rejected rubbish after start of year (7) 13 Marine alga filling children with wonder (7) 14 scottish waterway once all Canadian, surprisingly (10, 5) 16 stop touring north, like sibelius? (7) 19 Prevent leader of chorus missing opening piece (7) 21 Repulsive old duke with evidence of debts (6) 23 Garments left in ship by northern river (10) 24 Match first of pacemakers in race (6) 25 Fairly attractive, this type perhaps? About right (9)