A veteran councillor whose hand was mauled by a Staffordshire bull terrier has suffered serious damage to two of her fingers and other minor injuries to her right hand.

But Cllr Jane Chitty the horrific incident will not put her off campaigning.

She was delivering leaflets in Strood on Friday lunchtime when the dog clenched on to her hand through a letterbox. She has since had a five-hour operation at the specialist East Grinstead Hospital in West Sussex.

Speaking at her home in Strood for the first time since the incident she said: "When something rotten like this happens to you, you just have to square your shoulders and get on with life. It will take me a couple of days but I shall be back on the road again."

Nursing her injuries, she added: "I'm no wuss, but the pain was horrendous. There was blood everywhere. I have no idea how I managed to extract my hand from its jaws."

Cllr Chitty, 72, underwent more than four hours of micro-surgery at the specialist Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex to repair chewed tendons and nerve ends.

The Conservative councillor, who is head of economic development on Medway Council, was handing out flyers in support of Rochester and Strood candidate Kelly Tolhurst and ward councillors.

It is believed Cllr Chitty, who represents Strood ward and is a former mayor, was with her grandson and daughter-in-law when the animal pounced in Deacon Close.

Constituency chairman and fellow councillor Andrew Mackness said it was more serious than initially thought and she has undergone micro surgery and treated for nerve damage.

Cllr Mackness said: "Jane is a very strong, feisty woman. I am sure this will not put her off supporting her party on the election trail."

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