Owners of a Staffordshire Terrier have agreed to their pet being destroyed after it attacked a nine-year-old girl in Melksham.

Lorna-Jane Drew, of Chippenham, was cycling near her grandmother’s house in Devonshire Place when the dog came at her.

Her mother, Sarah Drew, 44, said Lorna-Jane had been screaming in her sleep since the attack last Saturday.

Miss Drew, of Patchway, said: “Lorna ran into her Nan’s house screaming. You can see where two big teeth have pierced the skin.

“She was just riding her bike around on the green with her friend when it came up, snarling and growling, and bit her on the back of her leg. She got off the bike and it started chasing after her and bit her on the bum cheek.

“It has been a shock for her. She’s having nightmares; I hear her screaming in her sleep.”

Police said they visited the dog’s owners, who agreed to have their dog put down. It is understood there had already been a similar incident involving one of their dogs.

A Wiltshire Police spokes-man said: “Both incidents have been raised along appropriate channels and we are taking expert advice to ensure appropriate action is taken.

“An officer attended an address in Melksham just after 4pm on Saturday and spoke to the owners of the dog, who agreed to have the dog destroyed. We have had confirmation this has taken place.”

Lorna-Jane was taken to hospital for treatment.