Double Crossword

Today’s grid
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2012, 12:13 GMT

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. How a handyman might exert pressure? (4,3,5)

7. Fed up and drilled down (5)

8. Keep rodent I love in proportion (5)

9. Follow the animal (3)

10. Runners seen on court at the double (4-5)

11. Melancholic with regret before terrible flu (6)

12. More appropriate workman? (6)

15. Half this stealing is pulsating (9)

17. Ate horrible meal (3)

18. Dance with odd graduate (5)

19. Bird of prey in windy Eastern gale (5)

21. Ben, Ginger and owl at play where Jack’s on top (7,5)

Down

1. Cracking time for inclement weather? (7-5)

2. Seaman visible in abstract art (3)

3. Arouse affection in listener after finish (6)

4. Xmas pursuit of girl with fish (9)

5. Consumed at school, say (5)

6. Liberal nations cover protection of the landscape (12)

7. Listen in on the French horn (5)

10. Sketch of human bit improved by beginner (9)

13. Rank tile fell around thatcher’s head (5)

14. High-flyer to nip ego trip (6)

16. Casanova with capital love (5)

20. Choke at joke (3)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Electoral area (12)

7. Trim (5)

8. Lid (5)

9. Employ (3)

10. Fluency (9)

11. Winding-sheet (6)

12. Gorge (6)

15. Repellent (9)

17. Fuel (3)

18. Carousal (5)

19. Gradient (5)

21. Vice versa (12)

Down

1. Enclose (12)

2. Fasten (3)

3. Dread (6)

4. Urge (9)

5. Group of witches (5)

6. Irrevocable (12)

7. Daub (5)

10. Exuberant (9)

13. Fireside (5)

14. Festival (6)

16. Piebald horse (5)

20. Japanese sash (3)

Tuesday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 4 Shatter; 8 Amiens; 9 Storage; 10 Mitten; 11 Eyeing; 12 North Sea; 18 Instance; 20 Afters; 21 Ice-axe; 22 Balloon; 23 Fliers; 24 Address. Down: 1 Raiment; 2 Bittern; 3 Enmesh; 5 Hotheads; 6 Turner; 7 Edging; 13 Scissors; 14 Untamed; 15 Reverse; 16 Afraid; 17 Teller; 19 Tackle.

QUICK

Across: 4 Amplify; 8 Remark; 9 Prosper; 10 Funnel; 11 Trance; 12 Churlish; 18 Denounce; 20 Morale; 21 Vigour; 22 Variety; 23 Circus; 24 Perfidy. Down: 1 Preface; 2 Ominous; 3 Ordeal; 5 Marathon; 6 Lascar; 7 Fierce; 13 Indebted; 14 Invoice; 15 Regress; 16 Homage; 17 Tariff; 19 Origin.