WIN CRYPTIC CROSSWORD £500

ACROSS

1 Uncooperative salesperson held back work of a poet (8)

5 Companion followed by American twice in ballroom dance (3-3)

9 Figure altering the rent

around fourth of April (8)

10 Uncover first signs of duo instigating complaint (3,3)

12 Simple exam, say, regularly discounted (4)

13 See only escape in a wretched state (4,4,2)

15 Man encroaches in order to undertake something risky (6,4,3)

19 Gather purpose intended when ignoring a continuation in post? (13)

23 Force shown by British priest with European following is pretence (4-6)

25 Recall element of innovation in river (4)

28 Suppress varied files about centre of mystery (6)

29 Dull writer about ordinary time in middle of day (8)

30 Set of players, we’re told, showed tiredness (6)

31 Calling for legal work (8)

DOWN

1 Pressure, say, in club (6)

2 Shortly regretting entry to some damaged buildings (5)

3 Food kept in reserve at store (4)

4 Woman before visit brought up varnish (7)

6 Dangerous gorilla might be described as such? (5)

7 Trio scans newly concocted breakfast food (9)

8 Many not excited by latest in jobs — good and bad, perhaps (8)

11 Some stop poohpoohing colleague (4)

14 Affected place to pitch? (4)

15 Excellent fish — and piece of roast pork (9)

16 School with no end of disagreement for a very long time (3)

17 Smooth English archdeacon (4)

18 Potential ending of dubious assurances (8)

20 Heading off demands for money brings troubles (4)

21 Climbers might use this hole Dot created (7)

22 One predicting future about new year is contemptuous (6)

24 Anger consuming leader of government? That’s nonsense (5)

26 Stringed instrument? There it is in France with a slight adjustment (5)

27 One noted for exploring sport (4)