THE resting place of many a golfer's bad shots has been discovered in the grounds of a North-East hotel.

The mystery of where mis-hit balls end up was solved when lakes on the golf course at the Hall Garth Hotel, in Coatham Munderville, near Darlington, were dredged.

More than 450 balls were found in one lake, beside the third green, and 300 in another.

The lakes were being dredged by building contractors who were at the hotel working on an extension.

They agreed to remove the reeds from the lakes but were shocked to find so many balls had been lost to the water.

General manager of the hotel, Amanda Mortimer, said: "We are extending the building and, as a favour to us, the contractors said they would clear the lakes of reeds.

"We couldn't believe it when they found 450 balls in the main lake and 300 in the other one. The lakes have not been dredged for years, so there is no way of knowing where all the balls have come from - but most of the club members claim they have contributed to the stock!"

The hotel golf club has 50 members but is also open to the public on a pay-to-play basis.

Miss Mortimer has no idea what to do with all the recovered balls but is open to suggestions - or requests for good homes for them.

Work on the hotel extension is under way and will give the complex an extra function room and ten more bedrooms.

Miss Mortimer said: "Things are going really well. We have just been awarded Investors in People and are looking forward to the extension being opened.

"Of course, we welcome anyone to visit us and try their hand at golf - but hopefully they'll keep the lake free of balls for a while!"