The Telegraph - CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO: 24,055 - May 15 2003

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Clues Answers
A dip is nice, but offered up with little taste INSIPID
A game of bridge? PONTOON
Banners announcing ladies' hen gathering HEADLINES
China, say, making a fuss PALAVER
Compensation for heartlessly rude habit REDRESS
Engineers in favour of traditional style, but new REPRO
Examine former political leader's traditional knowledge EXPLORE
Fresh offer - it is fine FORFEIT
Gift wrapping a ship's instrument BASSOON
Go too far in maiden race OVERRUN
Herring or puffer fish? BLOATER
I am in a hurry and favourably influenced IMPRESSED
Kept jam on top of display PRESERVED
Made silly drawings - a doddle curiously, nothing in it DOODLED
Mocked the act having got in free DERIDED
One who paces restlessly around the front of the ship put out at alert PROWLER
Clues Answers
Poor performers ramble on Sunday RABBITS
Public transport accepts very loud enthusiastic fans BUFFS
Reckons that grounds cover one mile ESTIMATES
Religion that's primarily spread in mail order ISLAM
Scratch team's total SCORE
Secretive people often found in bed OYSTERS
Self appointed policeman leaving it to be resolved VIGILANTE
Some drugs that save diets going wrong SEDATIVES
Sponsor Hermes, perhaps even a hospital department GODPARENT
Story taken by the National Theatre may point to special gifts TALENTS
Take off in gear STRIP
Telephone equipment needed by oddly sick walker SCRAMBLER
The girl to spoil first class return! MARIA
The lunatic needs a beanbag NUTCASE
Took on staff of better quality, we hear, and ultimately profited HIRED
£2 should cover primate collar LAPEL