An amateur photographer has described how she captured a life or death struggle between a heron and a large goldfish in Eaton Park.

Eastern Daily Press: The lily pond at Eaton Park in Norwich. Picture: Kirsty SimsThe lily pond at Eaton Park in Norwich. Picture: Kirsty Sims (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

Mandy Symonds, 56, was exercising in the park in Norwich when she took the photograph of the bird with the fish in its beak.

She said: “I was on my daily exercise and I couldn’t believe my luck. It was such a struggle for the heron that it held on to it for about two or three minutes so I was able to get the picture.”

Eastern Daily Press: Heron and goldfish in struggle at the lily pond in Eaton Park, Norwich. Picture: Mandy SymondsHeron and goldfish in struggle at the lily pond in Eaton Park, Norwich. Picture: Mandy Symonds (Image: Mandy Symonds)

The park’s large sunken lily pond, which is home to large goldfish, regularly attracts ducks but herons are more infrequent visitors.

Ms Symonds, who works as a barista at Benji’s restaurant in Jarrolds and also cares for her mother who lives near the park, said the heron eventually changed position and dropped the fish allowing it to get away.

Eastern Daily Press: Herons are occasional visitors to fish at Eaton Park in Norwich. Picture: Stuart BeardHerons are occasional visitors to fish at Eaton Park in Norwich. Picture: Stuart Beard (Image: (c) copyright newzulu.com)

“It is such a privilege to get so close to a beautiful bird,” she said.

Eastern Daily Press: One thatr got away: the goldfish escapes from the heron at the lily pond in Eaton Park, Norwich. Picture: Mandy SymondsOne thatr got away: the goldfish escapes from the heron at the lily pond in Eaton Park, Norwich. Picture: Mandy Symonds (Image: Mandy Symonds)