Double crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

3. Plenty in favour of a merger (9)

8. Dash from Iceland (4)

9. Sluggard making little progress with a tutor (9)

10. Class a number as precise (6)

11. Almost rate as fools (5)

14. Rob with a gun (5)

15. Absorbed with a new part (4)

16. Wounds in a most absent-minded way (5)

18. A vessel that has been taken out of the water (4)

20. Acted strangely for a Service trainee (5)

21. Stretch - of river? (5)

24. Others acquire their habits from him (6)

25. Went to pieces when praised (7,2)

26. Norwegians live in what was Czechoslovakia (4)

27. Pay a visit after some persuasion? (4,5)

Down

1. Man of action, in his turn (9)

2. Not a bad bid for the roundabouts? (4,5)

4. List a waiter may be asked for (4)

5. Colours and becomes servile (5)

6. Rather earlier (6)

7. Not often seen in London certainly! (4)

9. These are sure to be brisk for beer on board (5)

11. Partly under water from waves caused by a passing vessel (5)

12. Old-timer (9)

13. Specify space available for a first-class passenger (9)

17. Throw away a fight? (5)

19. Possibly secure and free from danger (6)

22. Communist firm about belief (5)

23. After hesitation leave thus (4)

24. A diverting act? (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

3. Declaration (9)

8. Shape (4)

9. Liveliness (9)

10. Vigour (6)

11. Pondered (5)

14. Chop finely (5)

15. Tear (4)

16. Occurrence (5)

18. Fling (4)

20. Get up (5)

21. Compass (5)

24. Claim (6)

25. Detour (9)

26. Signify (4)

27. The accused (9)

Down

1. Consequences (9)

2. Immaturity (9)

4. Small (4)

5. Time (5)

6. Affair (6)

7. Mid-day (4)

9. Concur (5)

11. Bit (5)

12. Devoted (9)

13. Retainer (9)

17. Seized (5)

19. Plan (6)

22. Sat for picture (5)

23. Conceal (4)

24. In adversity (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 1 Cold; 3 Educator; 8 Neon; 9 Returned; 11 Poor relation; 13 Rating; 14 Grocer; 17 Prison record; 20 Primates; 21 Zinc; 22 Speedier; 23 Aged.

Down: 1 Conspire; 2 Look-out; 4 Dwells; 5 Court order; 6 Tango; 7 Ride; 10 Grandstand; 12 Produced; 15 Crowing; 16 Inhere; 18 Raise; 19 Opus.

QUICK - Across: 1 Pact; 3 Dampness; 8 Real; 9 Predator; 11 Embarrassing; 13 Strict; 14 Proper; 17 Evil-speaking; 20 Extended; 21 Maze; 22 Besieged; 23 Less.

Down: 1 Perverse; 2 Chamber; 4 Airman; 5 Pedestrian; 6 Eaten; 7 Sure; 10 Truculence; 12 Progress; 15 Private; 16 Sphere; 18 Votes; 19 Herb.