HE was the toast of Huddersfield and now he’s the Pride of Britain.

Heroic Juby Mathew rescued a four-year-old boy from a vicious dog and was badly injured saving the youngster’s life.

Juby, of Lockwood, won the Courage Award at this year’s Examiner Community Awards.

And in London last night he won an Outstanding Bravery Award at the 2008 Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.

Juby, 31, who suffered injuries and needed five months off work after saving the toddler from being savaged by a dog, received his award from James Corden, writer and star of the hit comedy Gavin And Stacey, and model and TV presenter Kelly Brook.

Mr Mathew said afterwards: “I’d do it again because I have sons aged three and two. If somebody was passing if they were being attacked, I hope they would do the same thing.”

The star-studded awards will be screened tonight at 8pm on ITV.

Stars and politicians gathered to pay tribute to some of the nation’s unsung heroes in a ceremony to reward acts of courage.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and more than 100 celebrities attended the Awards at the London Television Centre.

Celebrities arriving in the rain last night said it was a “humbling” event to come to and an honour to be invited.

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue said: “This is so humbling – I’ve got a box of tissues packed. It’s amazing to see people do such heroic things by instinct.”

Other celebrities included Sir Michael Caine, Bruce Forsyth and Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell.

Juby, a warehouse worker, is terrified of dogs after being savaged by one when he was just nine years old.

But that did not stop the father-of-two jumping out of his car when he saw four-year-old Brwa Hassan being attacked by what was thought to be a pit bull terrier in Crosland Moor.

The youngster was lying on the ground being attacked by the crazed dog as his mother screamed helplessly to try to stop it.

As he tried to kick the animal away it clamped its jaw around his leg, leaving a huge bleeding wound.

Juby wrestled with the animal for 10 minutes, trying to get it away from the little boy.

But as he battled the dog with the child in his arms he fell in the road. He hit the ground so hard he broke his hand so badly the bone at the base of his wrist was protruding from his skin.

Eventually a neighbour was able to whisk the child from his arms and run into a house.

Brwa was treated in hospital for bite injuries and severe scratches on his back and was left with scars on his body.

The dog was later captured by police and destroyed.

Juby said: “I am very scared of dogs after what happened to me and I was terrified by what I saw.

“I didn’t have time to think about that though. I just saw what was happening to the boy and knew he would be badly hurt if someone did not help him quickly.

“I didn’t have time to think about the pain. I just knew I had to get him away from the dog.”

Pc Martin Guy, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We would never encourage people to put their own safety at risk, but on this occasion no-one could deny how courageous Juby was in overlooking his own safety in that way.

“It is well documented how dangerous these dogs can be. Without Juby’s intervention the outcome could well have been far, far worse.’’