Golfers have been told not to practise their shots on public open land.

Witney Town Council is issuing the warning following reports of teenagers playing golf on the Oxlease amenity area on the Cogges estate.

Technical officer Henry Westbury said it was not the first time the council have had to appeal to safety and common sense.

Notices were put up on all the council's open spaces some years ago after an accident in which a youngster nearly lost an eye when hit by a flying golf ball.

"They have no excuse, really. There is a driving range in the town and that's where they should go, not put other people's safety at risk," said Mr Westbury.

"Unfortunately, many of the notices we put up get vandalised, or simply disappear. We have to trust to people's common sense."

There is no by-law outlawing golf on public land, but council staff make spot checks.