The Brough of Birsay - a tidal island off the Mainland parish of Birsay. (Pic: Sigurd Towrie)

Divers have recovered the body of a helicopter pilot after his aircraft crashed into the sea this morning off the Brough of Birsay.

The Northern Lighthouse Board helicopter plummeted into the sea at around 11.20 am today and the pilot's body was eventually found at 2.16pm following a search in 20 knot easterly winds co-ordinated by Shetland Coastguard.

Kirkwall and Stromness lifeboats and rescue helicopters from Sumburgh and Lossiemouth were also on the scene.

The Brough of Birsay lighthouse. (Pic: Orkney Photographic)

The Bolkow 105 helicopter was contracted from Bond Helicopters for a routine maintenance trip to the Brough's lighthouse.

Officials from Bond and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch were on their way to Orkney this afternoon.

Eyewitness reports spoke of a load carried by the helicopter being blown onto the back rotor blades by strong winds.