Nine climbers have been killed in an avalanche near the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix.

Three of those killed were from the UK, three from Germany, two from Spain and one from Switzerland.

Twelve other climbers were reported injured.

Local authorities deployed rescue teams in helicopters and said it was the deadliest avalanche in recent memory.

Police said four others believed to have been missing - two Britons and two Spaniards - had now been accounted for.