THE bodies of two avalanche victims from York will be flown home tomorrow, police have said.

Steve Barber, 47, and John Taylor, 48, both from Pear Tree Avenue in Poppleton, died in the disaster in the French Alps on Thursday.

North Yorkshire Police say they have been told their bodies will be returned to Britain on Tuesday.

The men were climbing to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice in York and donations to Mr Barber's online fundraising page have increased rapidly since the tragedy. Donations stood at about £260 before the avalanache, but had increased to £5,495 by 5pm yesterday.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/stevebarber