This is the heart-stopping moment a lion opened the door of a couple's car in a South African safari park.

The dramatic image was captured by Gloucestershire man Richard Holden from the safety of his car.

The 32-year-old took the photograph at the Lion Park, near Johannesburg.

He and his wife Candice and their two-year-old daughter, Faye, were there on holiday.

The family, of Graylag Crescent, Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury, expected a thrilling time in the park, but got more than they bargained for.

They looked on as the big cat walked up to the white Toyota in front of them.

Fascination turned to terror as the creature calmly took the rear-door handle between its teeth and pulled it open.

For several seconds, the car remained immobile as its occupants sat in stunned disbelief. Then the driver pulled away, with the lion in hot pursuit.

It chased its quarry all the way to the gates, where a game warden threw a stone to shoo it back into the enclosure.

At the start of the trail, visitors are warned to lock windows and doors and take off all removable items, such as aerials. But Richard said the car in front had obviously left the doors unlocked. They must have been panicking because they didn't drive off straight away," he said.

"If that had been me, I would have hit the gas!"

The park said the lions were fed every day, and there was little chance the Toyota couple would have been eaten.