The horrific moment a Spanish bullfighter was gored in the groin by his angry prey was captured in a series of gruesome images.  

Paco Urena was pictured tussling with the animal as part of the Semana Grande (Big Week) fair in Bilbao, Basque Country, northern Spain yesterday. 

A photographer captured the moment the bull gored Mr Urena at the Vista Alegre bullring, during the Semana Grande festival which runs for August 17 to 25. 

The bullfighter, clad in a shimmering gold-coloured jacket and vibrant orange tights, can be seen making a pained expression as the bull lunges its horn between his legs as he seems to lose grasp of his archetypal red cape.  

Mr Urena had also been pictured smiling as he held two bull's ears as trophies as part of Semana Grande – or Aste Nagusia as Bilbao residents call it, which takes place in mid-August every year.

More than 100,000 festival-goers descend into the streets and take part in celebrations of Basque culture, partying all night to live music and magnificent fireworks displays. 

Attendees will also watch bull fights or strongman competitions in the daytime during the festival, which starts on the first Saturday following August 15.