A memorial service is being held in Chamonix in tribute to the climbers who were killed in an avalanche in the French Alps.

Nine climbers were killed as they traversed Mont Maudit or Cursed Mountain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The deaths of two friends attempting the climb have prompted a surge in donations for the charity for which they were fund-raising.

Steve Barber, 47, and John Taylor, 48, were killed alongside fellow Briton Roger Payne, one of the UK's most respected climbers and former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC).

Mr Barber and Mr Taylor lived on the same street in Upper Poppleton, a village to the north-west of York, and both had children at Poppleton Ousebank School. They were attempting the climb to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice in York.

Before news of their deaths emerged, there had been about 20 donations on Mr Barber's page on the JustGiving website, totalling about £300. More than 88 people have now promised money, with the total last night topping £2,393.

Among the other victims were three Germans, two Spaniards and one Swiss climber. French authorities believe wind triggered the avalanche, which was caused by heavy snow.