Weekend crossword 30/07/2011

This week's puzzle...

ACROSS

1 Best alternative (6)

4 Put an end to drink Edward finished (8)

9 Shoot one who is gullible (6)

10 Left in opening by river, it's artistic (8)

12 Popular writer these days (9,3)

15 Craftsman, if erratic, breaks down (9)

17 Commander elected once more (5)

18 Spicy hitch? (5)

19 Light flan prepared for the evening (9)

20 Join extreme parts and live within one's income (4,4,4)

24 Not busy doing nothing (8)

25 Loftier greeting in speech (6)

26 Shaky one from France stayed in trouble (8)

27 Overseas correspondent one's friendly with? (3-3)

DOWN

1 White House in Morocco (10)

2 Coming from casino, lout kissing (10)

3 Move slowly during some mediocre epic (5)

5 Neutralising effect of retail representative? (7-5)

6 Transport officer bothered by stealth until it finishes (2,3,4)

7 Such a retreat harboured the beast (4)

8 Make officer a blockhead (4)

11 Wrongly imagined demonic vices had been upsetting (12)

13 A top hacker misinterpreted sharp downward blow (6,4)

14 University subsequently taking on a learner - that's one-sided (10)

16 Men falter spilling port (9)

21 Net found in river in France ... (5)

22 ... place in France (5)

23 Free ticket for travel (4)