1-across – After drink, extremely lazy and fat : PORTLY

4-across – Strip joints opening tonight : DIVEST

9-across – Union strike : CLUB

10-across – The tears we shed for a loved one : SWEETHEART

11-across – One of four on the fiddle : STRING

12-across – Long timber required for film studio : PINEWOOD

13-across – When women propose to break with tradition : LEAPYEARS

15-across – A number, if loud, irritate : MIFF

16-across – Argument in cabinet : CASE

17-across – Fielder makes initial mistake : FIRSTSLIP

21-across – Dog’s very good about being put on new lead : AIREDALE

22-across – Loved seeing a cheat blushing : ADORED

24-across – Military force calling for withdrawal : REVOCATION

25-across – I love getting a thankyou letter : IOTA

26-across – Head girl is a macebearer : NUTMEG

27-across – In time deserter will make mistakes : ERRATA

1-down – Holder of the colours : PALETTE

2-down – Teacher’s pet doesn’t play out : RABBI

3-down – Turn gas up in a way to make pasta : LASAGNE

5-down – Mean, though popular, minister : INTEND

6-down – Rock plant highly sought after : EDELWEISS

7-down – Change course when vessel’s caught in the swell : TURNOFF

8-down – Upset, if miler’s speed remains unwavering : SEMPERFIDELIS

14-down – Completed the course and got dead drunk : PASSEDOUT

16-down – Make a striking contribution to the conversation? : CHIMEIN

18-down – Radar equipment for the surveyor : SCANNER

19-down – Lack of action, but in time it turns up : INERTIA

20-down – Notice to cut out and show : PARADE

23-down – Board has no alternative to the French and the Germans : OUIJA

9-across – A wee drop is what’s lacking : SHORTFALL

10-across – Free spectacles available in college : LOOSE

11-across – Making convenience of busy centre in Gateshead : USING

12-across – What teachers do to get cautioned : EDUCATION

13-across – Craft of many a prophetic type : CORACLE

14-across – Mood determining fee charged by accountant : CAPRICE

17-across – Vladimir’s second home : DACHA

19-across – Degree required for sphere of work in nursery? : BED

20-across – Canine wrongdoing : DINGO

21-across – A leading consultant in heart surgery takes a breather : TRACHEA

22-across – Girl returned on time with ace – of diamonds? : EUSTACE

24-across – Like drink? Somehow this should keep you going : KILDERKIN

26-across – Does he believe an emperor will return? : RASTA

28-across – Metropolitan dropped at the office : PRIME

29-across – Raphael made a switch between sides : ARCHANGEL

1-down – Character featured in scripture before Saul… : ESAU

2-down – … a prophet spoken of in the clothing trade : HOSIER

3-down – Travelling drama tutor? : STAGECOACH

4-down – Talk up to three ways on the net : SAGENE

5-down – Student found out about the church – and moved abruptly : FLOUNCED

6-down – Lawsuit provides uncertain gratification : PLEA

7-down – Awkward stoop in one’s attitude : POSITION

8-down – Gas lighting : NEON

13-down – Revolutionary took time as a trainee fighter : CADET

15-down – Walker badly strained by exercise : PEDESTRIAN

16-down – Poem about Ecstasy drug : EPODE

18-down – For a clergyman providing tea is obvious : CHAPLAIN

19-down – Bird once meant one should swing : BLACKCAP

22-down – She must favour going into Europe : EUNICE

23-down – Designate a ship to firing : ASSIGN

24-down – Hat one mainly observed on top : KEPI

25-down – Function curtailed at nightfall : EVEN

27-down – Lace-maker in Norfolk : ACLE

1-across – An opening in the bank? : HOLEINTHEWALL

10-across – Ace with stunt almost comes to grief – the fool! : NUTCASE

11-across – Order a s-stove : ARRANGE

12-across – Live in very large house finally, like a fat cat? : OBESE

13-across – Celebrate when Les and Simone are hitched : SOLEMNISE

14-across – Vehicle moved aimlessly : MOPED

16-across – As arranged, I’m seated with second cup of coffee : DEMITASSE

18-across – Are they carried by conductors? : NOTECASES

19-across – The centre of hottest backing for the fight : SETTO

20-across – Ravine covered in black stuff – a dye : COCHINEAL

23-across – Forward or return note : MINIM

24-across – Cashier to treat as unworthy : DISMISS

25-across – Gem, we hear, round in pocket : PURLOIN

26-across – Double-sided type found in print : JEKYLLANDHYDE

2-down – Immediately at the scene of the action : ONTHESPOT

3-down – Girl holding notice to get out of the way : EVADE

4-down – Send out round the East for what’s required : NEEDS

5-down – Chief’s line with different maps for use at night : HEADLAMPS

6-down – Firm friends? : WORKMATES

7-down – Plunging in with a worn piece of cloth : LUNGI

8-down – Mad comic with union movement is out of touch with audience : INCOMMUNICADO

9-down – Note progress with new building : REDEVELOPMENT

15-down – City lived in turmoil; it’s a downward slope : DECLIVITY

16-down – Southern salesmen picked up in phone distribution : DISPERSAL

17-down – What the Babes did in panto for a tree : SATINWOOD

21-down – Class of actors for the listener : CASTE

22-down – Plant out of bed in a short line : LUPIN

23-down – Tidy up to hospital’s delight : MIRTH