STAFF at Ski Rossendale are anxiously awaiting news of two colleagues who are trapped in an avalanche-hit Austrian ski resort.

Ski instructors Dave Smith and Geoff Jones were due on duty at the Rossendale slope at the weekend but are among thousands of tourists trapped in the Alps.

Avalanches in Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy have claimed the lives of almost 70 people in the last couple of weeks, and helicopters were called in yesterday to airlift holiday makers from the worst hit resorts.

But the weather closed in overnight, halting Austrian helicopter operations, while another avalanche destroyed three homes and buried at least 10 people in the resort of Ischgl.

Anne Thomas, booking secretary at Ski Rossendale, said: "Dave was supposed to be back teaching on Saturday but rang to let us know he was stuck in his hotel."Food is being airlifted into the resort, but the only thing Dave seemed really concerned about is the fact that there are only a few bottles of booze left in his hotel. Geoff is staying at the other side of the same resort"

Geoff and Dave, who are both from the Manchester area, are expert skiers who have taught at Ski Rossendale for several years.

Anne said: "They aren't injured, but I don't think they are allowed to go skiing and are just stuck in their hotels."

Yesterday 2,000 tourists, including some Britons, were queuing for helicopters to escape the Austrian resort of Galtur which had been bit by the latest avalanche.

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