The Guardian - Cryptic crossword No 23,864 - Sep 6 2006

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Clues Answers
... according to ex-actor PERFORMER
A press layout that's scanty SPARSE
Americans who flout dietary regime? SCOFFLAWS
Battle, or prelude to a continual one? ENGAGEMENT
Beverage buff serves teas in season WINETASTER
Brain transplant? CHANGEOFMIND
Chief eastern state MAINE
Consumed minced tiger included in French savoury AIGRETTE
Drug provider causing fast internal damage PHARMACY
Finishes despatch from first to last ENDS
Gin from 1 across, used for a personal lift? BOOTSTRAP
Government department unknown to pay out DEFRAY
Hot stuff STOLENGOODS
It could be the end of written correspondence POSTSCRIPT
Clues Answers
Jack lies about his descent ABSEIL
Old king of the soccer world OFFA
Paces off street - maybe on horseback RIDES
Price, as in 'One More River' JORDAN
Religious representation of classical characters PIETA
She puts up with a lot of harassment SARAH
Slave facing mutilation in the Hebrides FINGALSCAVE
Solitary worker holds menial job ANCHORET
Student and what one uses for joined-up writing? LINK
Talk of a time in Paul's experience CONVERSATION
That is almost a fateful date IDES
They take their leave without it ABSCONDERS
Translation of Obadiah turning up ... OBVERSION
Verse form as in Tess, perhaps SESTINAS