As is traditional at this time of year (ie: I’ve done it once before),  here’s a cryptic crossword for readers’ amusement. Solutions to dicmortimer@btinternet.com.

ACROSS
1 County set are in clash (10)
6 Beat with fruit (4)
9 Daisy’s strangler stacks shelves at B&Q (10)
10 I’m back and I claim a prize (4)
12 Air in La French home refreshed (3,2,7)
15 Get behind Welsh star, I have a reservation (9)
17 Nick, Old Boy (Etonian?) (5)
18 There’s a heavenly body in Tesco Metro! (5)
19 Spooner’s egg is nothing (6,3)
20 Sin with sheep – cor, kinky! One thing led to another (2,3,7)
24 Caustic acid scrubber (4)
25 Plant Ely Rec! (4,6)
26 Mad, weary, directionless. Period. (4)
27 Can’t sleep, can’t I go pry around? (10)

DOWN
1 Get rude erection in a dwelling (4)
2 Yu_e (4)
3 I don’t know. Try again (3,2,7)
4 Good Afternoon. Tigers fail to score (5)
5 Repeating repeating (2-7)
7 Support strike and smile (6,4)
8 Settle after blithe play disturbed (3,3,4)
11 Honest, intense confusion is novel (12)
13 Prays itchy rash shrinks (10)
14 Fireplaces for late arrivals (10)
16 Getting on, I return to east London (9)
21 Holds bags, however you define it (5)
22 They say three in a yard is an achievement (4)
23 Informal get-together (4)