Councillor James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said: "I am deeply saddened by the news that two Poppleton residents lost their lives in Thursday's avalanche in Chamonix, France. I would like to offer their families and friends my condolences and offer any support and assistance we can provide at this difficult time. The mountaineering world has paid tribute to Mr Payne, a mountain guide and former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). Dave Turnbull, the current chief executive of the BMC, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the tragic death of the avalanche instructor. Mr Payne, a former president of the British Mountain Guide, was originally from Hammersmith in West London, but is understood to have been living in Leysin, Switzerland, with New Zealand-born wife Julie-Ann Clyma, who is also an experienced mountaineer. Two other Britons - including climber Dave Compton - reported missing following the avalanche were confirmed safe and well after presenting themselves to police in Chamonix yesterday evening. All those believed to have been missing have been accounted for, but police are continuing to search the area. As well as the three British climbers, the avalanche claimed the lives of two Spaniards, three Germans and one Swiss, according to the Prefecture de la Haute-Savoie. Describing the sequence of events, it said a block of ice 16in (40cm) thick broke off and slid down the slope, creating a mass of snow that was 6ft (2m) deep and 328ft (100m) long. Foreign Secretary William Hague has sent his condolences to the friends and families of those affected, saying he was "very saddened" by the tragedy. Estelle O'Hara, headteacher of Poppleton Ousebank School, said in a letter to parents at the school: "It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that two of the climbers killed in yesterday's avalanche in the French Alps were parents from Poppleton Ousebank - Steve Barber, father of Frankie in Year 5 and John Taylor, father of Emma in Year 5 and Louise in Year 3. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both Donna Rogers and Karine Taylor who have both lost their life-long partners. Children have been informed and school staff have been supporting them throughout the day, providing a caring shoulder and answering any questions that children may have. We would ask that people respect the families' privacy at this sad time. We understand that the climb was to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice and so we will be collecting on their behalf. A church service is to be held in Chamonix tomorrow afternoon in memory of the dead climbers, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said.