The city's Lord Provost felt Ryan's efforts to rescue Lauren McCormick, aged seven, from an attack by her family's pet Neapolitan Mastiff deserved recognition.

The girl was attacked at the family home

The boy shouted and threw stones at the 12-stone dog as it gripped the throat of Lauren in the back garden of her home in Alloa.

Family and friends heard the commotion and were able to step in just in time.

Lauren suffered injuries to her face, arms and upper body and underwent emergency surgery at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow.

The dog, which the family had owned for only six weeks, was destroyed shortly after the attack.

Lauren was allowed home on Monday.

Ryan ,who comes from Glasgow, will be presented with his award at a private reception in two weeks time.

Central Scotland Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.

Neapolitan Mastiffs, which are widely used as guard dogs, are not on the dangerous dogs list.

They can kill when incited, but experts say the breed is normally very protective to family members when kept as a household pet.