In a real life face-off that bore a striking resemblance to cartoon duo Tom and Jerry, this is the incredible moment a cunning mouse taunted its prowling cat nemesis before fleeing to safety.

Just as in the iconic cartoon the cat trapped the mouse before bringing him into the house.

But the mouse had the last laugh, giving Audrey the cat the run around between kitchen chairs for two hours before escaping unscathed.

Catch me if you can! In a real life face-off that bore a striking resemblance to cartoon duo Tom and Jerry, this is the incredible moment a cunning mouse taunted its prowling cat nemesis from behind a chair leg

Just as in the iconic cartoon the cat, named Audrey, trapped the mouse before bringing him into the house

In the scarcely believable photo, taken by Audrey's owner David Orange, the little mouse can be seen peering round a chair leg as the three-year-old black and white moggie stares menacingly.

Mr Orange, 72, said he did his best to stick up for the little underdog but it appears the animal didn't want or need his help.

He said: 'The mouse was trying to box the cat.

'It was amazing to watch, just like something from Tom and Jerry.

'When I looked at the mouse it seemed to be saying to me "help me out mate, I'm in a bit of a situation here".

'It was very cleverly moving from chair to chair, going back behind the chair legs, always keeping its back to the wall.

'This went on for about two hours and I just had to get my camera out.

Unimpressed: But the mouse had the last laugh, giving the cat the run around for two hours before escaping

Snapper: Audrey the cat's owner David Orange (pictured) took the photograph at his home in Ilford, Essex

'I couldn't catch him either. I tried so I could go and release him but he was too fast.'

Former air conditioning engineer and pastor Mr Orange, who lives with his wife Sue, 67, at their home in Ilford, Essex, said the family dog, Sam, a nine-year-old Sprocker Spaniel, also got involved.

He said: 'At times, they were both looking at this mouse.

'The cat was far more laid back because I think she had brought the mouse in and she was just prepared to play a game with it.

'But the dog was desperate to get at it but he couldn't because he is too big and clumsy.

'The mouse got away in the end, we think, and the cat never got him.

'He was surrounded but he very cleverly managed to avoid both animals and get away.'