A BRAVE boy who was mauled and seriously injured by a dog is hoping to leave his nightmares behind him after returning to school.

Joshua Preston, eight, of Springfield Street, Darwen, had a two-hour operation to re-attach his nose and stitch bite marks after being attacked by a bull mastiff in Blackburn on October 19. His nose had to be rebuilt layer by layer with a splint and packing left in to make sure it keeps its shape. More surgery will follow.

But less than a month after the incident, the determined youngster decided it was time to go back to his school, St Paul's in Hoddlesden. And his mum, Sarah, said his wounds were healing nicely.

She said: "He couldn't wait to go back. He was raring to go. Everyone has been absolutely fine with him and he has been okay which makes me feel a lot happier. You never what people's reactions will be.

"All his bandages are off now and you can hardly tell he's had surgery to his nose. He has to go back to the hospital for one day at a time now.

"He has an appointment next Monday when we will find out what else needs to be done. His lip needs straightening because it is slanted like he has had a stroke. His face is healing so well, we can't believe it. It has been a lot quicker than we expected.

"His cheek will take the longest but they are going to do more work on that once the swelling has gone down. They are going to do some skin grafts as well to try to prevent scarring."

Headteacher Bernadette Bickerton said: "Joshua was really pleased to return to school and his classmates and staff are delighted to have him back.

"He has only really missed two weeks of school because it was half term, so it will be easy enough for him to catch up."