A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl suffered horrific facial injuries when she was attacked by the family's new dog last weekend.

Jade Wardle was in the kitchen and had put her arm around the labrador-cross called Hooch, when it suddenly lunged at her face without warning.

Mother Rochelle Wardle, 22, had to kick out at the three-year-old dog to make it loosen its grip before rushing outside where friends and family telephoned for an ambulance.

The youngster needed plastic surgery and also had to have a tear duct replaced during surgery on Saturday.

Ms Wardle, of Pelton Fell, said that the dog had been 'tremendous' with them in the three days they had owned it.

She said: ''I dread to think what would have happened if I had not been there. There was no growling or snarling, he just went for her face."

The youngster spent the night in the University Hospital of North Durham.

Hooch has now been returned to its original owners in Tyne and Wear but.Ms Wardlesaid: ''As far as I know they are going to have it put down. "