Alex Foulkes was in Italy with a party of students

Alex Foulkes, 17, was on a trekking expedition with classmates from Harrogate Grammar School when he fell into the water on Monday.

His body was found by an Alpine rescue team at 0600 BST on Wednesday.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm Alex's body was found earlier this morning, and identification has now taken place.

"A consular official from our office in Milan is en-route to the region to meet Alex's parents and provide them with support."

His parents had earlier flown out to the Val d'Aosta area where the walking trip was taking place.

Alex had arrived in Italy on Saturday for a 14 day trip, organised by Exodus Travel in London, with 11 other students.

The incident happened at Valgrisenche near the French border while the party were walking through picturesque foothills after a day at a mountain refuge.

Students from the school were on a walking trip

School headteacher Dr Philip Limbert paid tribute to the 17-year-old.

He said: "Alex was a remarkable student.

"He was vice-captain of his house and studying for his AS levels.

"He was a young man whose future lay in sports journalism.

"Our sympathies are extended to his parents."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We don't want to speculate about what may or may not have happened at this stage."