British climbers die in French Alps

TWO British climbers have died after falling 900 metres near Chamonix in the Alps.

The men, aged 22 and 24, were attempting to scale the Frendo Spur, on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, late on Friday afternoon.

Local newspaper reports say light rain had softened the snow and made the climb more difficult.

The pair have not been named. The UK Foreign Office said the climbers' families had been informed and it was providing consular assistance.

A 19-year-old student from Edinburgh died attempting the same climb three weeks ago. The route remains open.

Photo: Guillaume Besnard - Fotolia.com