A Norfolk photographer has captured a dramatic struggle between a woodpecker and a sparrowhawk.

The images, which show the sparrowhawk pinning a spotted woodpecker to the ground before the smaller bird escaped, were shared on Twitter by an amateur nature photographer in Thursford.

Grahame, who tweets under the name @Churchillcroc, shared two snaps of the birds locked in the life and death struggle on social media, on Thursday, April 25.

He said: 'Raw nature.

'This great spotted woodpecker was lucky.

North Norfolk News: A Norfolk photographer has captured photos of a dramatic battle between a woodpecker and a sparrowhawk. Photo: Twitter, @ChurchillcrocA Norfolk photographer has captured photos of a dramatic battle between a woodpecker and a sparrowhawk. Photo: Twitter, @Churchillcroc (Image: Twitter, @Churchillcroc)

'She managed to escape the clutches of this male sparrowhawk in our garden.'

He added: 'He literally took her off the peanut feeder as I walked past the window.

'There was a female drinking this morning in the garden but as we have quite a few visit, not sure the same.

'Will keep an eye out as there was feather disturbance on her back.

'I guess seeing her fly was a good thing.'