Cryptic Clues: Across

1. Gets mess bill for missing arms and legs (8)

5. Doctor on ship cultivates low plant (4)

9. Used a gun on the film stars? (4)

10. Hasty action leads to spotty state? (8)

11. It’s clear it’s not hilly terrain (5)

12. Feathers show how old the fruit is (7)

13. Colour shown by clever girl and Communist (6,4-3)

18. System of symbols in a ton to change (8)

19. Detail me to return it beforehand (4)

20. Name bus “Ray of Light” (7)

21. The condition the country is in (5)

22. Not a time of strength by the sound of it (4)

23. Continues to get the takings (8)

Down

2. It helps breathing – so that one can enter fitter? (7)

3. Graduate collects object while having a dip (7)

4. Praters get upset with previous outstanding player (4,9)

6. It’s nothing to write a tune outside (4,3)

7. Buy things all round America – and hang for it! (7)

8. The cries of 9 getting us in a pickle (6)

13. The orchestra observed a cutting machine (7)

14. Extreme bit of grammatical timing? (7)

15. In wonderland he could constitute a threat (6)

16. I.e. spelt letter (7)

17. Thrown out but not quite cast down (7)

Quick Clues: Across Down

1. Manacle (8) 2. Disturb (7)

5. Fairy (4) 3. Empty (7)

9. Flaccid (4) 4. Absentmindedness

10. Eastern (8)

11. Bare (5) (13)

12. Carry out (7) 6. Gush (7)

13. Deception (13) 7. Malady (7)

18. Tolerable (8) 8. Disclose (6)

19. Lofty (4) 13. Collapse (7)

20. Admit (7) 14. Fettered (7)

21. Fish basket (5)

22. Whirlpool (4) 15. Idols (6)

23. Increase by 16. Lifelike (7) stages (8) 17. Prominent (7) To hear any crossword solution or the full solutions call 0905 789 4251 . Calls cost 80p per minute plus your network access charge. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390.

For four extra letter codeword clues, call

0901 293 5251 . Calls cost £1 plus your network access charge. SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390.