THE boss of a historic hall has raised concerns about wayward balls from the nearby golf driving range hitting visitors.

Sharon Jones, director of Samlesbury Hall, in Preston New Road, said she is fed up with golf balls crashing into the attraction’s grounds.

She said golfers from the neighbouring Samlesbury Driving Range have been peppering the 14th century house with wayward shots for the past 18 months and fears families and children could be injured by balls flying onto the property.

It has seen a car have its windscreen smashed by a stray short, forcing staff to close off an area of the grounds occupied by beehives and a heritage garden.

While a golf ball ‘skimmed’ the head of an elderly blind volunteer in the grounds of the hall, according to Ms Jones.

The row saw the charity, which runs the hall apply for an injunction to stop the golf balls coming over from the neighbouring range.

But the injunction Samlesbury Hall Trust applied for was refused by a judge at court in Preston last Thursday.

The case has been adjourned to a later date for trial.

Ms Jones said: “The golf balls have been coming over onto the hall’s lands and we’re worried about them hitting visitors.

“We first noticed it in May last year and it’s been a problem ever since.

“So for the injunction to be refused is a real setback.

“I’m really not bothered how they stop but I just want golfers from the driving range to stop hitting balls onto the car park and its grounds.

“We’ve had a golf ball skim the head of an elderly blind volunteer and a car have its windscreen smashed.

“As the director of the hall, I feel responsible for everyone that comes in and I’m very concerned about someone being hit.

She added: “I feel this is a health and safety issue that needs addressing by the golf driving range.

“I am also concerned it will stop visitors from coming to the hall.”

Bluebird Golf, who run the golf range, was unavailable for comment.

Dating back to 1325, Samlesbury Hall was built by Gilbert de Southworth and was the primary home of the Southworth family until the early 17th century.

Since 1925 when it was saved from being demolished for its timber, it has been administered by the Samlesbury Hall Trust.

The medieval manor house attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year.

The hall is renowned as one of the most haunted locations in Britain. Resident spirits include the legendary White Lady, Dorothy Southworth, who died of a broken heart, and has allegedly been seen on many occasions.