A Second World War torpedo found on the seabed in Scapa Flow has been detonated by navy bomb disposal experts.

The torpedo is believed to have been fired at HMS Royal Oak by a German U-Boat in an attack that sunk the battleship with the loss of 833 lives.

Lying in around 35 metres of water, the torpedo was spotted during a sonar survey of the seabed. Navy divers were called in and detonated the device on Wednesday morning.

David Sawkins, Orkney Islands Council's deputy harbour master, said: "The torpedo had been sitting on the seabed of Scapa Flow for almost 80 years.

"Although it posed minimal danger to shipping, our responsibility is to operate a safe harbour and, as it was likely to contain live explosives, the prudent course of action was to alert Royal Navy bomb disposal experts and arrange for its safe disposal.

"This was carried out with great professionalism by the Navy divers and we are grateful for their assistance and expertise."

It is now hoped the rear section of the torpedo will be recovered and go on display in Orkney later this year.

Mr Sawkins added: "It would be a poignant reminder of the huge loss of life when the Royal Oak went down in October 1939."