An off-duty Eastbourne soldier has died while climbing in the Italian Alps.

The 30-year-old, named locally as David Martin, died after plunging 1,000m (3,280ft) to his death from Mont Blanc last Wednesday morning.

He was with a climbing partner, who has not been named, when he fell.

The pair had set out on the climb in France and were descending the Italian side when Mr Martin fell from a sheer rock face just below the summit.

Mr Martin’s body was recovered and taken to the Italian town of Courmayeur.

Yesterday, Sussex Police confirmed an inquest into Mr Martin’s death will be opened and adjourned, although he has not yet been formally named. 

The Foreign and Comonwealth office confirmed it was aware of the death of a British national in the Italian Alps and was offering support to his family.

According to an Italian news agency, Mr Martin's climbing partner was also from the armed forces but escaped the tragedy unharmed. 

A funeral for Mr Martin will be held in Eastbourne.