All Across answers are entered normally. Some Across clues contain a superfluous word; the lengths of these words give a clue to the method by which the Down answers are to be entered. This is confirmed by the unclued lights. All Down clues are normal. ACROSS 2. Look at article which is lent (4) Choose to have nothing before exercise (3) 3. To hit back is all right (2) Fruit bat gets degree, nearly first, writing one article after another (6) 4. Pressing switch, perhaps, might produce no result (7,2) 5. Electricity generator initially creates fire, for example (1,1) Prominent items in news? (8) 6. Rush, topless, to press (4) To climb to tip of Everest is to do well! (5) 7. Destroy game in UK (4) Consumes portion of meat after soup (4) 8. David's first drink brings depression (4) Desert grass (3) 9. The French kid gets the best mark in the field (3) Little boy envies Lewis' position (2) Operation necessary after fiftieth prune (3) 11. Mother is seen with the sexy French man (4) Seaside bather is troubled by wind (6) 12. Ocean craft? (5) Regret, we hear, having shortened jumper (3) 13. Barrel organ seen in King's Head, for example? (3) Criticise minister in charge, causing alarm (5) 14. A note to The Sun? (3) To following page (1,1,1) Knight about to meet king, by chance (4) 15. South African insect first found in part of rotten log (8) 16. Initially nominate an editor in Scotland? No, it would appear! (3) Musical interval in New World? (5) 17. Protest at grizzly bear being put down (7) Alternative to gold (2) 18. Plover takes flight after drink (7) One listens to the organ (3) 19. Couple refusing to take anything back (3) Life-form found in central Ganges? (4) 20. There's no going back on ship for children (4) DOWN 1. Chance to appear in revolutionary dress (6) Raise from the bottom? (4) Expel postgrad before his new work is seen (6) Old king sat next to a student in exam (4) 2. Joint is given by a new king to the French (5) Ransom note given to judge (6) Bright star reflected in delightful river (4) Northern jug is more recent (5) 3. Person is given to intermittent attacks at first - it's a psychological disorder (5) Bell fitting tends to create clock noise (9) Mistakes in art are poor (6) 4. Palindromic composition might use this? (3) Symmetrical, like some methods? (7) Two points gained at first by touch down for this country (7) Stars show a bit of pride, maybe? (3) 5. Central Council's recent project for Mom? (4,2,3,8) Flop back and chat idly (3) 6. I see Laura with gun, oddly, as part of initiation (9) Lose badly as Black (4) Tree cut down to make wooden peg? (3) Just a single (4) 7. Cook a feast? (2) Eat jokingly, we hear (6) Possibly meet pals at picturesque tower initially for these Saturday activities? (4,8) 8. Method makes ringer sad, unfortunately (9) Set up in advance - inside or outside, for example (11) 9. Note warped host has morals (5) Before peer, I meet queen (7) I tear about, enraged (5) Image of oneself seen in huge gorilla? (3) 10. Brand new bridge (4) Number formed by taking one away from six? (4) Pretenders make duck noises (6) Scotsman saw strange exotic birds (6)