British man missing after failing to return from hike on holiday in French Alps

A British doctor is feared dead after he failed to return from a hike on holiday in the French Alps.

Robert Bailey, 63, was last seen leaving for a walk in Les Houches, near Chamonix, on Thursday.

The mountain rescue team at the ski resort have published a missing person's notice, which was shared on Twitter by the British Embassy.

Gendarmerie Haute-Savoie said Dr Bailey was diabetic and had heart problems. He set off to hike near Col de la Forclaz, a mountain pass near Mont Blanc, wearing a blue jacket, dark trousers, and green bag.

Dr Bailey is a GP and senior partner at Minster Medical Practice in Peterborough.

A recorded message told callers to the practice on Tuesday: "We are extremely saddened to advise that last Thursday Dr Bailey, who was on holiday in Chamonix, was involved in an accident.

"At present we have no further information."

The message goes on to tell patients that the practice will be offering only emergency appointments for the rest of the week.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are in contact with the French authorities concerning a missing British man, and are assisting his family."

On Monday a British man died in a snowboarding accident at a ski resort in Andorra.

The 59-year-old suffered cardiac arrest after losing control at high speed and crashing into a tree in Grandvalira.