Five bodies have been recovered from the sea and brought ashore in a major operation launched after a helicopter ditched into water at Morecambe Bay, police said last night.

The helicopter, carrying five passengers and two crew, ditched around 25 miles off the coast yesterday evening.

A massive search operation involving two rescue helicopters and lifeboats was under way immediately.

Lancashire Constabulary said that by 9.30pm five bodies had been recovered and the search was continuing for the other two.

A statement from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "At twenty minutes to seven this evening, Liverpool Coast-guard received a distress call from the Rig Support Vessel Highland Sprite working in a gas field in the East Irish sea.

"The vessel reported a helicopter ditching in the sea near one of the rigs.

"The Highland Sprite deployed its two fast rescue craft immediately to the position of the ditched helicopter."

Michael Mulford, from the Royal Air Force Rescue Centre, said contact with the helicopter was lost at about 6pm and it is believed to have crashed into the water.

Mr Mulford added: "What we have are good searching conditions, albeit it is dark. It is bound to be very cold in the water at this point."

A spokesman for the coastguard said the helicopter had taken off from Blackpool airport and ditched about 25 miles off the coast of Morecambe Bay.

Mr Mulford said that it was unclear whether rescuers were dealing with a controlled landing or a crash.

"We have plenty in the way of infra red and searchlights," he said.

Mr Mulford said the site of the distress beacon, which all aircraft carry, had been located.

Energy company Centrica last night confirmed that the downed helicopter was carrying its employees.

In a statement the company said: "Centrica is working closely with HM Coastguard who have mounted a full scale search and rescue operation.

"Centrica is contacting all families connected with its Morecambe Bay gas fields and expresses its thoughts for those missing at this time."