CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Slab recovered from battle (6)

4 Shout ‘Rotten!’ and suddenly back out (3,3) 8 Can go round ancient city to find Italian one (5)

9 From Los Angeles, to big shot, return key (7)

10 Emirate could be more substantial (7)

11 Best picnic party (5) 12 Media star, craftily, to produce for the stage (9)

17 Greek letter, nothing great (5)

19 Attacks fashionable streets (7)

21 In favour of desire to stretch (7)

22 Reportedly gauge the length (5)

23 Belief is held by those people (6) 24 Maiden on course for talisman (6)

DOWN

1 Carry manuscript with tribal signs (6)

2 I am turning into a poet as drinks server (7)

3 Boredom that is back to claim different nun (5)

5 Artist needing instrument, almost making pasta! (7) 6 Musicians given voice treat regularly (5) 7 Run around the Spanish

1 chap (6)

9 Getting involved by

8 leaving car outside – much obliged! (9)

13 Uncertain what to do with income less than outlay (2,1,4)

14 Flexible cleat is adjusted (7)

15 Broke tooth finding penny inside casserole (6)

16 Look ace with half‑glasses? (6)

18 Call up woman coming round to give approval (5)

20 Dance that’s odd to a degree (5)