Wellington police recover body

File photo / Dean Purcell

Wellington police have recovered the body of a 27-year-old man who disappeared while swimming at a local beach last night.

The man was in the water at Seatoun with a male friend and went missing about 6.30pm.

The police dive squad, police launch and a helicopter searched unsuccessfully until 10pm.

The search resumed about 8am today and the man's body was found near Steeple Rock, a rock formation at the south-east end of Worser Bay, about 10.20am, a police central communications spokesman said.

The matter has been referred to the coroner.

- NZPA