A 25-year-old Norfolk man died in a skiing accident in France, an inquest has heard.

An inquest was opened into the death of William Lawes, from Church Street, Wymondham, at Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich on Monday, February 17.

Yvonne Blake, area coroner for Norfolk, said Mr Lawes, a Norwich-born student, died on February 3 at Les Deux Alpes in Isere.

The medical cause of death was given as trauma from a fall in the Alps while skiing.

Mr Lawes' body was repatriated from France.

Ms Blake said: "Enquiries will have to be made in France."

A full inquest will be held at Norfolk Coroner's Court on March 9.

National newspapers reported earlier this month that Mr Lawes had been skiing on a marked ski run in the resort, and had crashed into a snow barrier.

French media said he was wearing a helmet when he hit an obstacle on the Piste des Fées, a ski run classed as 'red' for advanced intermediate skiers.

He died on the slopes shortly after police arrived at the scene

An investigation was opened into the tragedy, which happened at about 3pm.

Medics arrived at the scene but despite attempts to resuscitate Mr Lawes he died on the slopes.

A spokesman for the local mountain police said: "An investigation is under way to determine the circumstances of this accident.

"The skier died shortly after our arrival."

Snow barriers are wooden structures used to retain snow on the slopes when it is windy.

The resort of Deux Alpes is popular with British tourists. It has the largest skiable glacier in Europe and is France's second oldest ski resort after Chamonix.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in a skiing accident in Les Deux Alpes, and are in contact with the French authorities."