ST HELENS Council is asking golfers to practice on courses or at the driving range, rather than in parks and playing fields. It follows a spate of complaints.

Sport and Culture chief Linda Maloney said: "This is a borough-wide problem and we have received complaints from the public and from householders overlooking parks and public places, about golfers using them to practice. In the past people walking in parks have been injured by golf balls, including one incident in which a girl was blinded in one eye. In addition, windows on properties overlooking the parks have been damaged. We want to avoid serious injury and damage to adults, children, pets and property.