December 2003 - 15 x 15 Cryptic Crossword

Clues - Across

1. Support for those in temporary accommodation (4,4)

5. Fantasies about being in mother's embrace (6)

8. Apply about a tear, to the eye of course (10)

9. Foreigner with pull (4)

10. A stiff drink on the way over ? That's unfair (6,8)

11. High explosive device found in hospital department (7)

13. Precis is problem to a girl (7)

15. Get the edge on a gun operator, with poison (7)

18. Gets position about right for a cloud (7)

21. It can be dark in bars (5,9)

22. Fleet-footed beasts whose return is celebrated (4)

23. He requires loud member of cast as villain (10)

24. Makes a pass and passes out, by the sound of it (6)

25. Try and invest money soundly in us - we'd protect investors (8)

Clues - Down

1. Beginning to walk with a swaying motion? That's nonsense! (7)

2. Silvery element cook put in menu (9)

3. He makes a promise to love US general under the standard (7)

4. Art-work for £1 ? Count the change (7)

5. Dad's rusty creation is utterly boring (3,2,4)

6. Cathedral is erected with little hesitation, a delightful place (7)

7. Boss a German about (7)

12. Familiar terms of reference to police stations ? (9)

14. Personal magnetism alone has done it, often (9)

16. A stretch of river around shallow vessels (7)

17. Carnivore devours sloths in this connexion (7)

18. Careless person, English or Slav (7)

19. Old Bill used to maintain order (4,3)

20. I go wrong using a wild ass to go around the mountains (7)