A CHORLEY-based pilot escaped unhurt after his helicopter plummeted into England's biggest lake.

The JetRanger 206 was approaching Windermere yesterday when it plunged into the water about half a mile from shore.

The craft appeared to have sunk but the pilot managed to swim to the shore suffering only from shock and cold.

The helicopter, owned by Chorley firm Helixair was on a routine flight.

Cumbria Police spokesman said the Air Accidents Investigation Branch had been informed.

Police said the helicopter sank in 23 metres of water on the east side of the lake, half a mile from the shore near the Storrs Hall Hotel.

The aircraft's fuel tanks were reported to be secure and there were no fears of pollution from leakage, added a police spokesman.

The pilot of the helicopter was later named as Bill Scarrett.

He was on a routine flight to pick up Lancashire businessman Tim Knowles, owner of retail outlet village Botany Bay, on the M61 near Chorley.

Paul Westhead, company secretary of Helixair, said: "Whilst the cause of the incident is yet to be fully investigated the pilot Bill Scarrett, who is a former member of the Blue Arrows and has extensive aviation experience, was able to swim to shore and has been taken to hospital in Furness suffering from hypothermia and shock. His condition is described as not serious.

"Fortunately there were no serious casualties and there will be a full investigation into the cause of the accident and this will be carried out by the relevant authorities."