Crossword solution

The unclued lights are linked with MAN (at 7A). AXE and AGE were also allowed at 40A. Thanks to various people for pointing this out.   First prize John Pugh, Cardiff Runners-up John Foster, Yearsley, York; Cathy Staveley, London SW15

The unclued lights are stations along the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh train line, the pairs being 8/9 and 29/39. The title suggested a railway version of the ‘Road to the Isles’.   First prize A.T. Lymer, Edinburgh Runners-up Brenda Widger, Bowdon, Cheshire; Jeffrey Frankland, Milnthorpe, Cumbria

The unclued lights are all constructed (as opposed to natural) languages, also known as conlangs.   First prize Magdalena Deptula, Eton, Berks Runners-up Trevor Burford-Reade, Harrow Mrs Ashley, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex

The unclued lights relate to SUPERMAN (6D), his alter ego CLARK KENT (26A), nickname (the) MAN OF STEEL (8), planet KRYPTON (27), city METROPOLIS (18), employer (the) DAILY PLANET (35/16) and arch-enemy LEX LUTHOR (22). The title, as well as giving wordplay for HERO, suggests LOIS LANE, who appears hidden in row 4.   First

The unclued lights are regular contributors to the pages of The Spectator week by week. 5/35, 8/10, 12/28, 13, 21A/33 and 21D, 39/26. DOC (in 25) had to be highlighted.   First prize Charles Barr, Norwich Runners-up Roderick Rhodes, Goldsborough, N. Yorks; Janet Ramage, Truro, Cornwall

The poem is La Belle Dame sans Merci by John Keats. ATONY (2), CORYZA (3), LOCKJAW (6), ENTERITIS (8) and NEUROMA (13) are examples of WHAT CAN AIL THEE (1A), while AND NO BIRDS SING might be a comment on GOOSE (26), MARABOU (28), CRANE (38) and RAVEN (39). JK, upwards in the tenth column,

The unclued lights were all leaders of the USSR.   First prize Wendy Atkin, Sleaford, Lincs Runners-up Robert Burgon, North Berwick, East Lothian; Sandra Speak, Dursley, Glos

The unclued Across lights are words abbreviated by F which includes ‘40’ and the unclued Down lights are abbreviated by f which includes ‘furlongs’.   First prize Heather Kingham, Barnay, France Runners-up Brian Midgley, Ettington, Warwickshire; Michael Pigden, Barnet, Hertfordshire

Fats WALLER (5), who has been called ‘THE BLACK HOROWITZ’ (40/37/1A), was born in NEW YORK (28) and died in KANSAS CITY (30/36). He was a reluctant ‘guest’ at CAPONE’s (16) 27th birthday party. SLOUCHY (22) and KEROSENE (43) combine to form an anagram of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE, while the title of the puzzle suggests AIN’T

1, 4, 23 and 30 are livery companies (33/22). They are found in The 21 and 2 (the singular of a fifth unclued light). 18 is partly thematic (DYERS), 3 was a high officer, while 7 and 28 show status.   First prize Elizabeth Hardcastle, York Runners-up Angus Ross, Old Portsmouth, Hants; Tim Hanks, Douglas, Isle

The unclued lights are English place names which include a number in their spelling. These words appeared as figures in the grid — eg BRENTWOOD appears as BREN2OD in the grid. Ruyton XI Towns needed no change!   First prize Peter Gregson, Amersham, Bucks Runners-up J. Smith, Beeston, Norfolk; L. Coumbe, Benfleet, Essex