A teenage girl savaged by a dog has had 20 hours of gruelling surgery to rebuild her face.
Rachael Wisniewski, 13, was mauled by a friend's bull mastiff dog, which tore off her lower lip and chin.
The brave schoolgirl has had three separate operations – including a skin graft from her arm – to repair her face.
Surgeons are now waiting to see how her injuries heal before any more cosmetic work can be done, her family has said.
Rachael, from Maple Grove, Warton, had been petting the dog when it suddenly lunged at her at around 4pm on December 22 at her friend's home in Freckleton.
She was rushed to hospital where surgeons carried out the extensive procedures.
Today her father Jim said Christmas Day had been "traumatic" for the family, but added: "People have had worse and we will cope. She has had 20 hours of operations already and this is not the end of it. We need to make sure it all heals up fine and there is more cosmetic work which can be done further down the line.
"She is very upset, in a lot of pain and is obviously worried how it is going to look. It is difficult to see light at the end of the tunnel sometimes but she has a good family and friends and we will cope with it."
Mr Wisniewski said they have spoken to Michael and Jane Pearson, who owned the mastiff, and made it clear they do not blame anyone for what happened.
Mr Wisniewski praised "excellent" doctors and nurses at the hospital, adding: "Everyone has been really helpful. I just want to say to all her friends don't think you have to stay away and not talk to her, even if it is just texting or on MSN Messenger when she gets home. She is going to need her friends."
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