Ships have been warned to avoid a "torpedo-like object" discovered in the Scapa Flow.

The 22ft-long item was found near Orkney during a routine sonar survey on Saturday.

Ships have been warned not to drop anchor in the area until Royal Navy divers have examined it.

A 3280ft exclusion zone has been established around the object, which lies in more than 100ft of water.

UK Coastguard duty controller Bev Allen said: "Until the Royal Navy divers have had a chance to examine the footage and the object we are asking that vessels and divers keep at a safe distance and follow the instructions of the harbour master and the UK Coastguard."

The wrecks of two experimental anti-torpedo vessels used during the Second World War were recently discovered in the Scapa Flow, one of the world's biggest ship graveyards.

The popular diving destination was home to the British Grand Fleet during the First and Second World Wars.

The Scapa Flow came under attack in the first months of the Second World War and the HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a German U-boat in in October 1939. The battleship went down with 834 men aboard.