CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Prime number from France one made a laughing-stock (1,6,2,3)

9 Cabbage produced with simple plough on Hebridean isle (7)

10 Rugs turned back in a sustained effort (7) 11 See ship’s disappearance at sea, perhaps (4) 12 Insect with centre of gravity on earth (5) 13 We hear Alf leaves letters to encourage (4) 16 Family in muck for non-refined use of biscuits (7)

17 Found in empty trench, lying low at deafening sound (7)

18 Got the better of yarn (7) 21 Everything’s in bonds _ that adds up (7) 23 Fool Irish party with English (4)

24 Bird related a way to go north (5) 25 Indicating short pause without end of dream _ long sleep (4) 28 and 29 A perfect match? Lad, he’s a bad ‘un in play that’s wild, they say (2,5,7) 30 What’s left of that place where maiden’s

despoiled by Romeo (3,9)

DOWN

2 Shows uninhibited gratitude, perhaps, to excited fans, lol (5,2)

3 Animal characterised as giddy or, alternatively, ignorant (4) 4 Commnist branch is only seen flying in winter (7)

5 Thing so muddled as to be immediately recognisable (2,5)

6 Become tired with false delay (4)

7 Part of finger on which fakir may lie? (4,3) 8 Place of Polynesian mystery boasts oriental flower one’s come to bag (6,6)

9 Down male cad waffling patronising pacifier (4,4,4)

14 Solder lets out last share of government bonds (5)

15 Duvet cover being changed leads to blame (5)

19 Hire personal assistant, one undertaking to do fresh decoration (7)

20 Let the cat out of the bag from evil dug-out (7)

21 Extremely tender following a pain in the neck (7)

22 See IRA gone mad in prehistoric setting (4,3)

26 Hears what happened to outdoor charity event (4) 27 United, endlessly producing a boy-child (1,3)