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A great white shark collides with a diving cage and tries to chomp through the steel bars.

The dramatic footage was shot by videographer Oliver Bray from inside the cage in Gansbaai, South Africa, with just thick bars to protect him from the shark's sharp teeth.

The predators are drawn to the infamous Shark Alley because of the resident seal population.

Oliver and his team used bait to entice the hungry beast towards their boat and the enormous fish bared its jaws to the camera.

(Image: Barcroft)

The 35-year-old is setting up a research project to monitor great whites and also educate people about nature's most misunderstood creature.

He said: "I was in the cage trying to find out more about how we will do the research and develop the programme.

"The great white shark and many other shark species are under threat, so research into their breeding habits can help come up with scientific solutions to the problems surrounding their possible extinction.

(Image: Barcroft)

"The main problem is education, most people have grown up thinking sharks are dangerous and scary, and we have Stephen Spielberg's 'Jaws' to thank for that.

"Sharks can be aggressive no doubt, but they also have a very important place in the ecosystem.

"Education needs to be delivered and a greater understanding of what threats great white sharks face."

(Image: Barcroft)

Oliver said the reaction to the dramatic video has been overwhelming.

He added: "People who have seen the footage have absolutely loved it. I would say this is one of the best videos we have done."