Divers are surveying the wreck of a Dutch warship which sank more than 200 years ago.

The Utrecht was driven off course in a blizzard during its maiden voyage in February 1807 and stranded on Sanday, Orkney, with the loss of 54 men.

Volunteers working with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been studying the wreck in an attempt to find out more about the disaster.

The first phase of the dive helped confirm that the Utrecht went down armed with 38 cannons, while the second stage involved identifying debris from the wreck.

The third phase, which is due to begin soon, will see divers recording the condition of the wreck site.

A spokesman for Archaeology Orkney said: "The remains of the Utrecht represent a unique resource in Orkney waters.

"Orkney has a rich submerged maritime resource that brings in substantial economic revenue to the islands through diving tourism each year [but] much of the research into this diverse heritage has focused on the extensive First and Second World War wartime remains within Scapa Flow."

They added: "The site of the Utrecht is part of a shared history between Sanday, Orkney's north isles and the Netherlands."

The project is being led by Kevin Heath from Sula Diving and funded by Orkney Islands Council.

UHI is also carrying out a survey of waters around the Island of Gairsay in the hopes of find traces of Orkney's ancient harbours.