A BARRIER of trees could be planted to prevent stray balls from a popular cricket field crashing through neighbours' windows.

Residents living opposite the cricket field on Newhallhey Road, Rawtenstall, claim their homes are in danger from an increasing number of balls are being hit out of the ground.

The borough solicitor has told Rossendale Council that it could be liable for any damage or injury caused by these balls.

But it would cost more than £3,000, plus maintenance and repair costs, to put up fencing around the pitch.

In 1996 an option was proposed, but then rejected, to plant trees along the boundary.

Some trees were planted as a trial and 60 per cent of those have survived and are growing well.

Council officers have suggested that the council reconsiders planting trees and hedging plants which will within a few years start to form a natural long-term barrier.

All teams who play at the ground have to have their own insurance cover under the hire agreements, and they may now have to supply a copy of their insurance policy to the leisure department before they can play on the field.

Neighbours would be consulted about the plans.

Councillors will discuss the options at Tuesday's meeting of the leisure and economic development committee.