Complete
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1 9 11 15 21 23 12 2 16 3 13 4 8 10 17 22 24 5 18 6 19 14 7 20
  1. 1a Natural environment (7)
  2. 8a Haematite, for example — Nero or I (anag) (4,3)
  3. 9a Absconds (7)
  4. 10a German castle (7)
  5. 11a Bewildered (2,3)
  6. 13a City serving Perth, Australia as its port (9)
  7. 15a Play ball (2-7)
  8. 18a Storehouse (5)
  9. 21a Smarter (7)
  10. 22a Enter forcibly (5,2)
  11. 23a Person from Birmingham (7)
  12. 24a Merit (7)
  13. 1d Many-headed snake slain by Hercules (5)
  14. 2d Defensive players (5)
  15. 3d Repeatedly (4,5,4)
  16. 4d Disposable handkerchief (6)
  17. 5d These dashed on (anag) — impetuosity (3-10)
  18. 6d As well (2,4)
  19. 7d Tenant (6)
  20. 12d French-speaking West African country, capital Lomé (4)
  21. 14d Floor covering (abbr) (4)
  22. 15d Peevish (6)
  23. 16d Decide not to participate (3,3)
  24. 17d Inflatable mattress (3,3)
  25. 19d Fire iron (5)
  26. 20d Slight but perceptible amount (5)