This shocking picture shows the injuries sustained by a postman after he was attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers outside his home.

Keith Chadwick, 36, suffered severe face and leg injuries during the ‘absolutely terrifying’ incident on Fife Street in Accrington and underwent surgery at Royal Blackburn Hospital last night.

The father-of-three remains in hospital today for more treatment and may need cosmetic surgery or skin grafts to repair the damage.

Mr Chadwick, who has been a postman in Accrington for around 16 years, was with his wife Kelly when the incident happened.

His brother Steve Chadwick has told the Observer it was ‘like something out of a horror movie’ and has left the whole family ‘shocked’.

He said: “He has bite and scratch marks all over his body but the injury to his face has gone right down to the skull.

“If it had been a few more inches over he could have lost his eye. He’s very lucky in that respect.

“He’s going to need to wait to find out if he needs cosmetic surgery or a skin graft. He also has two big gash wounds down to the bone on his legs.

“It must have been absolutely terrifying.”

The incident happened at around 8.25pm on Tuesday, March 24.

Police and paramedics arrived on the scene after being alerted by Kelly.

Steve said: “He has sustained major facial injuries and had surgery last night.

“He is having some physiotherapy today. They are trying to maybe get him home today but we aren’t sure.

“They will need to wait until the injuries start to heal before a decision can be made on cosmetic surgery and if there’s any nerve damage.”

Steve said he found out about the incident after a phone call from their mum who lives in Lanzarote.

He said: “She was absolutely hysterical and a mess, as any mum would be. It sounded like something out of a horror movie.

“I was very shocked and ultimately thinking the worst. You never think something like this would happen to you or someone who you know.

“It was definitely a hand over mouth reaction and that was the feeling throughout the family.”

Steve added: “He’s got a heart of gold my brother. He would do anything for anybody.

“The first thing he said to me in hospital was what happened to the dogs? He’s very upset that they could be put down as he has a Staffie himself called George.

“We are all very upset about the whole incident.”

Two dogs have ben seized by police.

A North West Ambulance spokesperson said they received a ‘high priority’ call from police at 8.28pm and arrived six minutes later.

Lancashire Police Inspector John Fryer said: “This was a very nasty incident where a man on Fife Street was bitten by two Staffordshire bull terriers.

“He was bitten on the face, leg and side of the body and the injuries are quite nasty.

“He is in hospital now and is going to need surgery.”

A man from Accrington was arrested on suspicion of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place and has been bailed until May 11.