Report by

MHARI KELLY

RESIDENTS of Sandown Close in Middlewich are being driven crazy by golfers practising illegally on a grassed area near their homes.

They have complained that several windows have been smashed by flying golf balls and one pensioner was almost hit by one.

Now residents are demanding that action be taken to stop youngsters using the land for golf.

Former Middlewich mayor Clr Fred Johnson, who lives in Sandown Close, said: "We have had this problem for a while now. Last year one of our neighbours, Melanie Yarwood, had her window smashed by a golf ball.

"More recently Carol Powell, who lives next door, had new PVC double glazing installed and a golf ball dented her back door.

"A pensioner who lives down the road, Lily Hughes, was almost hit by a ball and she's in her 80s.

"Then, last weekend, a football went through a bungalow window."

Clr Johnson warned: "It's getting out of hand. Young people are using the grassed area outside Middlewich Leisure Centre to play ball games when there's a sign that clearly says it's prohibited.

"If a child walking past was hit on the head by a golf ball, he or she could be killed."

And he suggested a way to rectify the problem.

"The staff at Middlewich Leisure Centre should be doing something about this," Clr Johnson said.

"They should be going out and telling the children to stop it immediately.

"Otherwise this is going to get ridiculous. I've already had the glass in my front door put through and just a few weeks ago my toilet window was smashed."

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