A dog bites man story with a difference in the UK today when a terrier bit off the finger of a Labour Deputy Mayor as she delivered a leaflet through a letter box.

Pauline Haigh, 62, heard a bark from behind the door before she fell back in agony with blood pouring from her right hand.

The dog had bitten clean through her finger severing it completely. It was recovered eventually and packed in ice but was too damaged to be grafted back on.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said no charges had been made, adding: "It was a complete accident and no blame is attached to the owner."