Investigations were continuing today into a light air crash in the French Alps which killed a family.

The twin-engine Piper PA-34 Seneca lost control in a snow storm as it flew over the French Alps and slammed into the side of a mountain in the Grand Veymont area.

The family, thought to be a couple and their child with links to Sussex, were discovered at the crash scene yesterday morning after mountain rescue teams searched for them throughout Saturday night.

An American passport belonging to the pilot was found with the plane, indicating that he had lived or worked in Britain for around six years, according to French officials.

Inquiries were still continuing to confirm the nationalities of the other two victims but they too were believed to be American, a Foreign Office spokesman in London said today.

The plane left its base at Shoreham Airport, near Brighton, West Sussex, on Saturday and the family of three was flying to Cannes in the French Riviera when tragedy struck.

The airport's manager, John Haffenden, said: "The plane certainly flew regularly from here to other airports both in the UK and abroad.

"I knew who they were but I haven't been given any information to allow their identities to be released."

French officials have said they were believed to be American originally but living in Britain.

The pilot contacted air traffic control at around 2pm to say he was in trouble, but that the plane disappeared from radar screens moments later.

Rescue helicopters were immediately scrambled to try and locate it, but struggled in the weather conditions and could not begin a proper search until later that evening.

The operation, involving up to 100 men and at least five helicopters, lasted through Saturday night and into yesterday morning.

A mountain rescue team, who had set out on foot wearing snow shoes to cope with the snowfall of around 20cm, eventually found the plane just before midday.

It appeared to have hit a rock face and broken apart on impact, killing all three on board instantly.

The American Embassy in Paris was unable to disclose details about any of the victims today.