THREE people were bitten and a terrified family trapped in their car as a savage dog ran amok in a street.

The attacks by a Labrador-Akita cross happened just yards from a children's playground packed with children enjoying their half-term holiday.

Armed police and specialist dog handlers were called in and the police helicopter circled overhead as the drama unfolded on Tuesday afternoon.

Victim Phillip Carlin, 40, was walking out of Mato Industries on Kirk Road, Church, towards his home on John Street when the dog jumped up and bit into his upper arm.

He said: "When I came out of the factory gates at noon I could see the dog sitting on the doorstep of a house. As I passed it snarled at me and then jumped up and locked on to my arm.

"It all happened really fast. I had to use the newspaper I was carrying to fight the animal off and force it to let go.

"Minutes later it bit into a neighbour's calf and then bit a young lad on the ankle and we all ended up at Accrington Victoria Hospital within half-an-hour of each other."

Craig Doherty, 24, an unemployed painter and decorator, suffered injuries to his ankle and lower leg and had to have his wounds bandaged.

Meanwhile, a mum and her two young children who live on the same street returned home only to be ordered to stay in their car by police who warned them a vicious dog was roaming the area.

In a scene reminiscent of the movie Cujo, they were left cowering in the car for an hour.

Mum-of-two Clare Pennings said: "There were three police cars and two dog wardens. The police had guns and the helicopter was out. We were told we couldn't even get out of our car and walk a metre into our house. My four-year-old son Sebastian was scared stiff.

"Earlier that morning I was getting Sebastian and his friend into the car and I could see the dog sitting outside its house. It had a short, stumpy face and a nasty streak. It came up to me and was about four inches from my face and showing its teeth. I felt threatened."

She added: "You can't keep a dog like that. Once it got a taste of blood it attacked more people. My children or others who play in the street could have been attacked. I just can't believe it."

The one-year-old dog, called Smokey, was eventually caught in a noose by police and had to be put down.

Its owner Edward Flood, 31, of Kirk Road, said he was shocked to hear the dog had escaped and attacked residents and called the incident "terrible".

He said: "I kept him in my garage and back yard and I don't know how he got out. He could be boisterous and jump up at people.

"But he was a companion to me and offered me protection."

Police, who seized the animal under dangerous dog legislation, are still investigating the incident and will consider whether any charges should be brought.