SNJ sports editor Ashley Loveridge was in for a surprise when he stepped out of his house this morning as he witnessed a toad make a leap to safety.

The amphibian was spotted on the pavement in Slad Road, Stroud and moved under Ashley’s parked car before attempting a death-defying road crossing.

“It was incredible to watch, I tried to stop a car and it was really heart in the mouth stuff as it narrowly avoided being squashed,” said Ashley.

The brave toad on the road made for the safety of a garden sanctuary and on the way made a leap of bionic proportions up some steps.

Watch the moment the spring toad made the leap of its life.