The family of a three-year-old boy who was struck by a car while playing outside his own home today warned other parents to "drill in" road safety rules.

Doctors expect little Joshua Dowling to spend the next four weeks in traction after his right thigh was crushed.

Despite the tot's injuries his dad Stuart, 37, said his son was "the luckiest boy alive".

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, Joshua was playing out with friends in Burton Street, East Bowling, when he was in collision with a silver Vauxhall Astra as it was driven into the cul-de-sac lined with parked cars on both sides.

Friends and neighbours rushed with Joshua's dad to the scene where the tot was lying on the ground bleeding and curled into a ball.

His dad Mr Dowling said: "I heard a thud and thought it was a football hitting a wall. Then one of Joshua's friends came running in and said there had been an accident. I went cold and thought the worst.

"Neighbours, one who is a first aider, were already out and had called the ambulance which was with us in no time. When I saw Joshua he was curled up in a ball. There was a black tyre mark over his shirt."

He and Joshua's mum Donna, 33, have been keeping vigil at the youngster's bedside but say he is being remarkably "plucky" and should make a full recovery in time for starting nursery in September.

Mr Dowling said: "Children are always playing outside, sometimes there are up to 20 of them. Because it's a dead end we felt it was a safe enough place for them to play. We've all told them to look out for cars but you can't guarantee they'll do it - especially when you're not there."

He said he now hoped Joshua's story would act as a warning to other parents and youngsters.

"Just because it's your own street, it doesn't mean it's a safe place. Parents have got to keep drilling it in."

Mr Dowling said: "It could have been so much worse. Joshua's still a bit dazed by it all but he's coming round nicely.

"He is getting wonderful attention from all the nurses and doctors on the ward. We were especially touched by one student nurse who stayed with us hours after she should have gone off duty."

Bradford Road Safety Officer Sue Snoddy warned parents not to let youngsters play out in the streets.

"They should play in a garden with the gate closed or parents should take them into the park," she said.

"Drivers also need to be aware that children could dash out between parked cars and they should drive at the appropriate speed for the area."