Tuesday 17 March

Across

7 Promise of place with slight advantage (6) 8 Recital changed to incorporate new instrument (8) 9 Stable about to take on one horse (8) 10 Group of houses close to off-licence, say (6) 11 Act more recklessly and act in a perplexing manner (8) 12 A selfish desire? No argument there! (6) 13 Clear reorganisation of field events (4-7) 18 Little kid suppresses surprising cry as well (2,4) 20 Backlash concerning director’s call? (8) 22 Weightlifting move is strenuous to begin with, of course! (6) 23 Reserve money for summer treat (3,5) 24 Final destination of reconstructed tramline (8) 25 On regular occasions, situations lead to sticky spots (6)

Down

1 Disorderly mess left inside sailing boat (7) 2 British singer accepting help somewhere in Australia (8) 3 The chap caught up in tough spot is running late (6) 4 King or queen maybe meet comedian (4,4) 5 Somewhat fallow, interminably cold part of the year (6) 6 You and I are mostly bored by the rain and snow, perhaps (7) 8 Contentious character central to stories in horribly vile cartoons (13) 14 Pretty fine engraved artwork (8) 15 Citizen of North America – Latino, possibly (8) 16 Token reply (7) 17 Bird taking off around small lake (7) 19 No item needing to be recycled promptly (2,4) 21 Reluctant amateur poet’s output? (6)