A passing driver raced to rescue a five-year-old boy from the jaws of a vicious dog.

The young boy was attacked by the snarling animal as he played in a front garden near his home.

The Staffordshire bull terrier jumped the schoolboy and began biting and slashing at him with his claws.

But the terrifying attack was halted when a motorist saw the dog pounce and ran to the rescue.

He managed to wrestle the dog off the youngster and made it back off.

Today police praised the driver for stepping in.

The attack happened as the boy played in the garden of a house, not thought to be his own, in Cornwall Avenue, Peacehaven, on Saturday.

The Staffordshire bull terrier had been allowed to run loose by its owner from its home in nearby Arundel Road.

The marauding creature made its way over to the garden and at first appeared to be playful.

But as it approached the group of youngsters it jumped on the frightened five-year-old and quickly overpowered him.

The terrifying incident left the five-year-old lad with a lengthy gash across his back and an injured ear.

Tommy Sullivan, 48, from Cornwall Avenue, said: "It all happened very quickly.

"I think the dog was on the lad before he knew too much about it. But you could see he was struggling to get it off. He was battling away.

"Before I could do anything this strapping lad managed to get rid of the dog and made it cower.

"If he hadn't it could have been far worse for the poor mite.

"He did the whole hero thing to be honest. If he wasn't there it may have taken a few more seconds for one of us to get the dog off and that's all it would have taken for it to have bitten him more seriously."

Police were called to the house and cautioned the dog's owner for allowing it to be out of control.

Sergeant Robin Fuller, of Sussex Police, said: "I am pleased to say that the young boy does not have any lasting injuries but was shocked by what happened.

"I would also like to thank the members of the public that assisted in this incident. They were of great assistance to the young boy."