The Scotland on Sunday crossword 18/11/12 3 & 23 Down Aid to progress, one bordering streets around Essex community (8,5) 8 Some permafrost conceals a capital style (4) 9 It's made of paste, but her one isn't, surprisingly (10) 10 Actor does exercises to check extremes (4) 11 Box superbly, punching Ali's ring-leaders (4) 13 One lass is discomfited by very strong material (5) 17 Incentive to let the motor run to seed (6) 18 I take a minute to get the skinny girl? 19 Heats up and what's wrong with that! 22 Where to find bargains in Greater Manchester (4) 24 Sense, we're told, of location (4) 25 Change announced by bishop, possibly, to church painting (10) 26 Can Neil keep her hidden? 27 Night feature of German ship on the loch (8) 1 & 14 Down Stinging rebuff explaining why one's scratching one's head? 2 First of sixes secured by Irish team's opener (9) 4 Half a score offered to alternative voice (5) 5 Stop mucking about with opening seasonal jobs (5) 6 Actor's clubs (5) 7 Malingers, perhaps, losing article on what may cause spanners in the works (8) 12 Singer reversing in 15 (4) 14 See 1 Down 15 Where to find firm soldier retreating in the desert? 16 Simpson laid seal, regularly (4) 20 On the move with some wine, right (5) 21 Temptress makes an alarming sound (5) 22 Trendy on board these? 23 See 3 Across Across 1, Lend a hand. 8, Okapi. 9, Epitome. 11, Savage. 12, Alleges. 13, Beta. 14, Sip. 17, Neo. 18, Rout. 21, Saracen. 23, Assert. 24, Chinwag. 25, India. 26, Lancaster. Down 2, Expel. 3, Dither. 4, Ace. 5, Donates. 6, Canavan. 7, Eiderdown. 10, Mien. 12, Australia. 15, Preside. 16, Surreal. 19, Bach. 20, Haunts. 22, Evade. 24, Con.