An “extraordinary mistake” led to a wildlife photographer being able to capture rare pictures of British birds showing light refracting through their wings in a rainbow effect.

Professional Andrew Fusek Peters said he had been left “gobsmacked” by the images.

After first photographing a blue tit’s display in his Shropshire garden he has spent the past few weeks making a collection of other visiting birds recorded mid-flight and surrounded by colour.

“They’re so beautiful,” he said.