SIX hero neighbours hoisted a two-ton car off a boy trapped under the chassis.

Cody Smith, five, was pinned down under the Peugeot 308 after it reversed over him and his bicycle.

Hearing his screams of agony, the local heroes ran to the scene in Canal Street, Church, and started to lift the car.

Their actions allowed Cody's father a big enough gap to pull him to safety.

Cody was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital suffering from cuts and bruises following the incident.

Paramedics said the actions of the neighbours prevented Cody from sustaining serious crush injuries.

The Moor End Community Primary School pupil's parents said they could not thank the rescuers enough.

Police said no action was being taken against the driver of the car as it appeared Cody had cycled out into the vehicle's path.

Cody had been playing on his bike in Canal Street with his friends and his sister Bethany, 10, when the black Peugeot 308 reversed into him.

Jason Sledden, 20, a builder and his friend Daniel Lally, who live in Canal Street had been standing outside when they heard Cody’s screams for help.

Jason said: “We saw a car pull into the road and he started reversing.

"When we heard a crushing sound and realised that he had hit the bike with the little boy on it.

“We all just started running towards the car and we managed to lift it before his dad dragged him out from underneath.

"I was shaking because I have never seen anything like this before and I was really worried about him.

“It turned by stomach when I heard the thud and we’re all just happy that he is okay because it could have been a lot worse.”

After being rescued Cody was carried into his home by his father, Chris, 34, before paramedics took him to hospital on Tuesday night.

Chris, who works as a sales executive said: “I ran outside and saw about half a dozen blokes around the car. They begun to lift it as I scrambled underneath and managed to slide him out.

“He was panicking and screaming and I just wanted to get hold of him.

"It was pretty scary but thankfully he was not badly injured. I am just really grateful to everyone who helped.”

His mother Tracy, who was in the family home in Church Street with her daughter Abbey, 12, at the time, thanked the local community for rescuing her son.

The 39-year-old said: “We will have to go over and thank them all because they did a fantastic job and I am just so happy and feel extremely lucky that he is safe and well.”

Ian Walmsley, East Lancashire sector manager for the North West Ambulance Service, praised the residents for saving Cody from sustaining serious injuries.

He said: "I’d like to commend the residents that helped this little boy and lifted the vehicle. The experience must have been traumatic for the child and the community should be very proud of the actions of those who helped.”