Double Crossword

Today’s grid

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. See 11 Across.

3. Gets help that’s denied (8)

8. He’s not blind to future events (4)

9. Like still water agitating gnats and another insect (8)

11 And 1 Across. Prevaricate and vandalise a shrub (4,5,3,4)

13. Take away part of French ventilation pipe (6)

14. Keep tight hold of the car pedal (6)

17. BR train, etc., as run by an absent-minded person (12)

20. What an interior designer does after leaving school? (8)

21. Shout accompanying wayward drive to boundary, say (4)

22. Father’s attempts to produce baked foods (8)

23. All-points bulletin (4)

Down

1. Corporation with no time to spare for the meddler (8)

2. He has to wait on a ship (7)

4. His efforts have been brought to book (6)

5. Dark suit for discos (10)

6. Part of the arena was hastily covered with water (5)

7. A special occasion for fruit (4)

10. Is it smaller than a clocktower? (10)

12. Then cars can be exchanged for bagpipe parts (8)

15. So a tree can produce a flower (3,4)

16. A qualification in geometry? (6)

18. They are used for maintaining locks (5)

19. Food item you may gamble with (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Throw (4)

3. Pervade (8)

8. Close (4)

9. Splendour (8)

11. Well (2,4,6)

13. Turning (6)

14. Limited (6)

17. Abruptly (3,2,1,6)

20. In words (8)

21. Dejected (4)

22. Bandage (8)

23. Minus (4)

Down

1. Persuade (8)

2. Reel (7)

4. Unrefined (6)

5. Lying (10)

6. Vigilant (5)

7. Merit (4)

10. Happen (4,2,4)

12. Enthusiasm (8)

15. Gratify (7)

16. Visit (4,2)

18. Big (5)

19. Greedy (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Fair-grounds; 9 Ill-used; 10 Dunce; 11 Hotel; 12 Corpses; 13 Peaked; 15 Caesar; 18 Rock-tar; 20 Assam; 22 Enemy; 23 Tea-gown; 24 Typewriters.

Down: 2 Allot; 3 Resolve; 4 Reduce; 5 Under; 6 Dynasts; 7 Night-porter; 8 Measurement; 14 Archery; 16 Adamant; 17 Writer; 19 Thyme; 21 Spoor.

QUICK

Across: 1 Appellation; 9 Paladin; 10 Amuse; 11 Nudge; 12 Collect; 13 Thirst; 15 Crater; 18 Recover; 20 Focus; 22 Fault; 23 Uniform; 24 Wealthiness.

Down: 2 Paled; 3 Endless; 4 Lunacy; 5 Trail; 6 Opulent; 7 Spendthrift; 8 Venturesome; 14 Include; 16 Ruffian; 17 Crouch; 19 Vital; 21 Cross.