No 2523, Sunday, 08 Mar 09

Sunday mornings are lazy mornings with my waterloo the Sunday CW. Have not unravelled 21 and 22A and 17D will be back with them later
ACROSS
1 - Talented, learner driver entering Lincoln? (4) - AB{L}E
3 - Older girl's crime, perhaps (6) - BIG{AMY}
8 - Belt of identical colour brought in (3,6) - SAM {BROWN}E Wore this belt for many years in the army on ceremonial occasions, till it was replaced by the Single belt as we call it. Police still wear this belt on ceremonial occasions.
9 - Plain over in Gabon, alluvial (5) - LLANO<- 11 - See the renowned navy at sea, periodically (5,3,3,4) - EVERY NOW AND THEN*
12 - Show former head of House one piece (7) - EX{H}I{BIT}
14 - English stay in charge, being flexible (7) - E{LAST}IC
15 - Notice appropriate editor changed (7) - AD{APT}ED
17 - Extremely heavy girl is from a Cape Cod resort (7) - GR{ANN}IS (Addendum - HY{ANN}IS)
19 - A sign in a plant? (4,2,9) - STAR OF BETHLEHEM [CD] Nice clue
21 - He's seen in wings in Carmen Jones (a musical) (5) - (Addendum - CUERS ??)
22 - Bear on island in apparent distress (9) - (Addendum - APPERTA{I}N* ??)
23 - Spinner quietly stopping team getting runs (6) - S{P}IDE{R}
24 - Ruler in eastern border needing backing (4) - {E}MIR<- DOWN
1 - Severe south wind on top of Eiger (7) - AUSTER{E}
2 - Capable, Thelma working in important London residence (7,6) - LAMBETH PALACE*
3 - Dismiss Cockney yobbo? (4,3) - {BOW}L OUT
4 - Source of extreme danger if tossed (7) - GRENADE [CD]
5 - Play short tune, hit by Anastacia initially (9) - MELOD(melody - y){RAM}A
6 - Dramatist's written about a brawl (4) - FR{A}Y
7 - Brandy in clubs can go up (6) - {COG}NAC<- 10 - A jab to good effect? (1,4,2,3,3) - A SHOT IN THE ARM [CD]
13 - Last drink cheers (7,2) - BOTTOMS UP [CD]
15 - US cash used in a particular capacity (2,4) - AS SUCH*
16 - Expert fish worker (3,4) - DAB HAND [CD]
17 - Rough up short rash fellow (7) - (Addendum - HOTSPUR*)
18 - Major, for the most part, runs conference (7) - SEMINA{R}
20 - Instrument used by Simply Red (4) - LYRE [T]