'Gerrof mum!' Adorable moment a mother lioness cleans up her mucky cub #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

SHE may not have been able to spit on a hanky to clean her mucky cub, but this lioness was spotted having a darn good try.

This lioness was determined to clean up her grubby little cub[CATERS]

The mother lion gave her son a good clean-up as she carefully licked his face clean.

Like any fussy mother, this lioness wanted to make sure her little one was neat and tidy.

While most youngsters tend to get rather embarrassed by their mothers, this cub was clearly lapping up the attention.

The expression on the cub's face was priceless

Ali Khataw, photographer

The adorable moment was captured by Pakistani photographer Ali Khataw while on safari in the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Ali, 54, said: "I knew I had got something special because the expression on the cub's face was priceless.

"I had to spend nearly a whole day just looking for a lioness with cubs."