Tributes have been paid to two Britons who fell hundreds of metres to their deaths while skiing in the French Alps.

Oscar Cassagneau-Francis and Rajen Mahendra, both from Cambridge, were on holiday in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and skiing off-piste when they fell on Sunday morning, local rescue services said.

The alarm was raised just after 11am and mountain rescue services arrived within 10 minutes, but the two men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Emily Lang, a friend of Mr Cassagneau-Francis’ at Netherhall School, said: “Oscar was an absolutely lovely guy, forever smiling, and laughing and making those around him smile too.

“I’ll always remember his school jumper arms being covered in sports colours from shoulder to wrist.

“I’ll be thinking of him and everyone who will be missing him today.”

Another school friend of Mr Cassagneau-Francis, Lauren Mansfield, said their whole year group wished to send “massive condolences” to his family.

She added: “I think I speak on behalf of the class of 2002-2007 that Oscar was a well-loved man by all and was friends with everyone.

“We are all deeply saddened and in a state of shock of such a terrible sad loss. He will be missed by many.”