ACROSS
7 Brush with what a modern 23 might be (7)
8 What some girls are looking for may involve the Head of Russian resistance (7)
10 Alert where nails may be found (2,4,4)
11 Mock GCE failed by Kirkpatrick (4)
12 One over the eight? (8)
14 Performing Mahler in a neighbourhood of Manhattan (6)
15 Girl visits hospital with crossword compiler's dog (5,6)
19 Live around Ohio and prosper (2,4)
20 Commented about chap going to east Germany (8)
22 Tax southern company before the sixth of August (4)
23 Defender cross with Henry and Alf (6,4)
25 Opposed angry editor (7)
26 Where soldiers take their meals in a Sicilian city (7)


DOWN
1 Town in South West, home to teacher (7)
2 Clergyman's study contains one (4)
3 Communists take each Indian Ocean inlet (3,3)
4 Staff officer supports quiet return of volunteers (5,3)
5 Reddish insect lands on recipe for a mildly alcoholic drink (6-4)
6 Yellow bird (7)
9 Departing with firm flourishing (5,6)
13 What film actors may take in Russia during unusual scene by river (6,4)
16 Chosen for exclusive by newspaper boss (8)
17 Business interest (7)
18 The particular way in which someone behaves towards others in a business transaction (7)
21 The German sheep returned injured (6)
24 Husband gets remains of mince (4)