TERRIFIED youngsters looked on as a swarm of wasps smothered a helpless puppy yards from their school gate, almost killing it.

Scampi, a Jack Russell, went into anaphylactic shock - a condition that can prove fatal to animals as well as humans - after being covered nose-to-tail by the mass of angry insects.

Owner Rachael McIntosh, who had tied him up near bushes at Hamworthy First School as she collected her young son, bravely fought off the swarm before rushing the pup to a Poole vet.

The 36-year-old, of Rockley Road, said: "When I saw Scampi it was shocking. He was totally lifeless, covered in wasps like something out of a horror movie.

"My five-year-old son, Darren, who suffers from asthma, was screaming hysterically. Luckily he wasn't stung, but I was, many times.

"It is a miracle no children were hurt or even killed by these wasps."

Vets counted numerous wasp stings, some inside his mouth and ears, but three weeks on Scampi is well on the road to making a full recovery.

But Mrs McIntosh, a mum-of-three, warned: "The nest was in the bushes near the school gate and there are still wasps causing problems. The children are always playing in the bushes and I am worried a child could be attacked and we are left with a tragedy on our hands."

But head teacher Claire Taylor assured worried parents: "We have had the nest treated twice, the second time immediately after the incident with the dog.

"I can say categorically, we have no wasp nest there now. We may have wasps, but no nest."

Poole council's strategic director for children's services, John Nash, said: "We would like to reassure parents that the health, safety and well-being of pupils, staff and visitors to the school is of paramount importance.

"The head teacher of the school called in specialist contractors on two separate occasions to deal with the issue. There is no evidence of a wasp nest on school property and staff are continuing to monitor the situation carefully. The school will seek further appropriate professional help and advice as necessary."