Cryptic crossword

ACROSS

1. Get less seed, acre being ploughed up (8) 4. Experienced American top journo (4)

8. Use towel when no alcohol is supplied (3)

9. Villain returns gold to half the guests (5)

10. Don’t start to incinerate the ballot-box (3) 11. Weight of a boxer comes with craft (7)

12. Very bad to break the law, but endless fun in it (5) 13. Made widely known if grouped with malt this way (11) 17. Have to own up to let one in (5)

18. Yield, and put on a play (7)

20. A healthy place for Protestant leader in South Africa (3) 21. Nothing will change the producer of eggs (5) 22. Label it a game children can play (3)

23. What one should do is pay it on imports (4) 24. Showed it could leave it out when in the red (8)

DOWN

1. Work out logically the deed copper compounded (6) 2. It supplies nutria to the bashful on the upturn (5) 3. Flattery needed in stirring times? (5)

5. Behave shiftily but prepare to deal (7)

6. Hang loose, and leg may get broken (6)

7. Am first fed up with a Conservative hurting my reputation (10) 9. Mute prison reform with its taking up again (10)

14. Batter away at a bit of the fortification (7)

15. Brought about as Duce ordered it (6)

16. Was on the edge of greed, but changed after five (6) 18. Pontius dropped one book illustration (5)

19. To the time when the peacekeepers get lit up (5)