Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you've been wracking your brains) yesterday's solutions.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2010, 08:34 BST
Updated 4th Jan 2010, 09:37 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Naval force to escape the first of the torpedoes (5)

4. Those who dock sailing vessels (7)

8. Could be a topical source of fuel (4-3)

9. Have greater success in an open-air celebration (5)

10. It sounds like part of a gun location (4)

11. Humble countryman about fifty is affable (8)

13. I've a lot of tender flesh inside (4)

14. See 20 Across

16. In some mixture the girl produces a sugary extract (8)

17. Place for shipping wine (4)

20 and 14 Across. Confection made of honeyed flesh? (9)

21. Cheer her neat arrangement (7)

22. A hundred on trial question the verdict (7)

23. A certain amount of dough needed for cheap jewellery (5)

Down

1. Shows resolution when confronted with the score! (5,3,5)

2. Compel payment that is absolutely correct (5)

3. The sort to do a key job (4)

4. They are traded in the stock market (6)

5. False description of Janus (3-5)

6. This is removed from an obsolete pamphlet (7)

7. Is it delivered by the laconic judge? (5,8)

12. Container holding unusual test recording (8)

13. Serf at home near French town (7)

15. What the cardinal assumes is made from thread (3,3)

18. Has to change bad language (5)

19. A thousand embroiled in strike – it's a racket (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Circumference (5)

4. Esteem (7)

8. Incentive (7)

9. Presage (5)

10. Diminutive (4)

11. Final (8)

13. Disclaim (4)

14. Certain (4)

16. Excitement (8)

17. Sharp (4)

20. Be (5)

21. Finished (3,4)

22. Distrust (7)

23. Wood-nymph (5)

Down

1. Innocence (13)

2. Mature (5)

3. Detest (4)

4. Outcome (6)

5. Roomy (8)

6. Etch (7)

7. Triangular (5-8)

12. Disturb (8)

13. Fire (7)

15. Obliquely (6)

18. Ambassador (5)

19. Happy (4)

Thursday's solutions

CRYPTIC

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Across: 1 Hard and fast; 9 Against; 10 Right; 11 Fudge; 12 Cast out; 13 Repine; 15 Sprawl; 18 Tillage; 20 Arson; 22 Eland; 23 Affairs; 24 Personality.

Down:2 Award; 3 Dungeon; 4 Notice; 5 Farms; 6 Signora; 7 Half brother; 8 Stateliness; 14 Pillage; 16 Playful; 17 Regain; 19 Andes; 21 Shift.

QUICK

Across: 1 Discourtesy; 9 Noisome; 10 Tiara; 11 Ingot; 12 Special; 13 Eschew; 15 Cosmic; 18 Admirer; 20 Titan; 22 Ovoid; 23 Subject; 24 Remonstrate.

Down: 2 Icing; 3 Chortle; 4 Uneasy; 5 Title; 6 Stadium; 7 Incinerator; 8 Hallucinate; 14 Compose; 16 October; 17 Crisis; 19 Radio; 21 Treat.