CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7. Take exception to being made to go again (6)

8. Seem to take father aback with fruit (6)

10. 100 being tried in competition (7)

11. She is often heard at Christmas (5)

12. Suitable gift for a telephonist? (4)

13. Put the bits back in a bit of leather (5)

17. Social gathering for politicians (5)

18. One in the forefront becomes conceited (4)

22. Conduct bighead to 12 (5)

23. Determine to do the puzzle again? (7)

24. Slice of meat about right for the bar (6)

25. Intimidates hundreds of female relations! (6)

DOWN

1. In favour of remedy to obtain (7)

2. Idiotic, like

19 perhaps (7)

3. The rage of the executioner who lost his head? (5)

4. This place is made distinctive (7)

5. It beats living! (5)

6. Training exercise at the dentist’s? (5)

9. Remain round teacher as laid down by law (9)

14. Gives passage to the crew (7)

15. Figurehead, not at all well, exhibits a foible (7)

16. How a poet writes back to front? (7)

19. Sailor may employ invective (5)

20. Journal indicates raid is up to youth leader (5)

21. Not the final, polished literary production? (5)