OXFORD University graduate Lydia Press has died in a climbing accident in the French Alps.

Miss Press, 24, plunged 1,300ft, pulled by the rope which tied her to boyfriend Arnaud Viel, 25, on Friday. The accident happened near the summit of 3,800m Tour Ronde.

Mr Viel escaped with minor leg injuries but Miss Press, of Appledore, Kent, hit her head on a rock and died instantly.

Miss Press graduated from St Peter's College last summer where she studied earth sciences, and was a former President of the Oxford University Mountaineering Club.

Prof Bernard Silverman, Master of St Peter's College, expressed condolences on behalf of the whole college community.