A RESCUE hero who saved the life of a seven-year-old schoolboy who was being savaged by a pack of dogs has used his civic award to raise £500 for charity.

Robert Ashworth, 56, of Tunnel Street, Burnley, was presented with the honour by the then Burnley Mayor Coun Gordon Birtwistle last month, after he rescued young Sam Leverett in March.

Sam, of Broughton Street, Burnley, was attacked on waste ground off Tunnel Street as he walked from his home to some shops.

Mr Ashworth saw Sam being thrown "like a rag doll" by the animals and he dived in to fight the pack off the schoolboy.

Sam suffered horrific injuries during the attack, which lasted almost five minutes.

The schoolboy, who attends Whittlefield Primary, spent several days at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, and underwent three operations on 80 wounds.

Mr Ashworth, who was commended alongside schoolgirls Licia Cox and Hannah Sprowell, both 13, who rang for an ambulance on their mobile phone, put his award on display at Ighten Mount Bowling Club, along with an emotional account of the incident and subsequent trauma.

In the letter He thanks all those who have helped him and Sam, including Burnley FC legend Andy Lockhead, a member of Ighten Mount Bowling Club.

Visitors to the club raised £200 for Coun Birtwistle's scanner appeal which aims to raise money for vital equipment for Burnley General Hospital.

Bob said: "I promised the mayor I would help his appeal. The last few weeks have been a mixture of trauma and emotion and I would like to give my personal thanks to everyone for their kind generosity."

Three people appeared before court after being reported in connection with the attack. A man aged 19 and two women aged 16 and 38, all from Burnley, were reported for summons for owning a dog, or dogs and allowing it, or them, to be out of control in a public place and causing injury to a person.