SURGEONS have operated to save the face of an 11-year-old girl savaged by a dog.

Elizabeth Sharp will need plastic surgery to repair the rips to her left ear and puncture wounds to her face, arms, hands and legs.

She had been with friends in playing fields near her Gateshead home when the out of control bull mastiff struck last night.

The dog was off the lead when it chased Elizabeth, knocking her to the ground and mauling her.

Her parents, Helen and Alan Sharp, who are by her bedside at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, told how their princess has been marked for life.

Helen, 41, a dinner nanny, said: "Elizabeth was playing in the park when three lads let the bull mastiff off the lead.

"It jumped up at her and frightened her and Elizabeth ran off. But as she ran it leapt up and knocked Elizabeth to the ground to bite her.

"It sank its teeth into her face as she struggled to fight it off.

"It didn't want to let go and she has teeth marks on her face, arms, hands and legs.

"Her left ear has been ripped and she needs plastic surgery.

"She was terrified. Thank God this dog didn't kill her."

The attack took place at around 7pm on Thursday in the playing fields off Hodkin Gardens, Carr Hill.

Elizabeth had been out with three friends.

Visibly shaken Helen, of Montrose Gardens, Carr Hill, added: "What was so upsetting was when the lads got the dog back on the lead they said to Elizabeth 'just wash the blood off and you'll be alright'.

"It was two sisters who drove past who saw Elizabeth soaked in blood and in distress who stopped and brought her home.

"I was so shocked when I saw her and the two women drove her to hospital while I drove up with my mum and dad."

Elizabeth, who had just started Cardinal Hulme Catholic School, in Gateshead, on Wednesday, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital before being transferred to the RVI.

Mother-of-three Helen said: "The police told me the owner of the dog rang in and said it arrived home covered in blood and he thought it had attacked someone and they wanted it put down."

The dog is now in secure kennels and is likely to be destroyed today.

Elizabeth's father Alan, 46, a printer, said: "I couldn't believe when I saw her in hospital. It was upsetting to see her like that. She is our princess and I hope her wounds heal quickly. She means everything to us."

A 26-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth have been arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control.

A police spokesman said: "An 11-year-old girl was playing when attacked by a bull mastiff.

"She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary last night.

"It is likely the dog will