FEARS were growing last night for a sixth-form student who went missing while on a school trip to the Italian Alps.

Alex Foulkes, 17, was among a group of 12 students from Harrogate Grammar School, North Yorkshire, when he disappeared during the trekking trip.

The teenager, who is in the lower sixth form, is understood to have gone missing on Monday following an incident when the group were trying to cross a river. The local mountain rescue team has been searching for him since.

His parents, who are from Harrogate, flew to Italy yesterday morning.

The school's headteacher, Philip Limbert, said pupils and teachers were ''desperately hoping'' Alex would be found well.

Mr Limbert said: "The school is still coming to terms with the news, which has stunned us all.

"We are trying to gather information from Italy and keep everyone informed about the situation.

"We are desperately hoping for good news. Our hopes and prayers are with Alex's family."

The group set off for Val D'Aosta, in northern Italy, for their two-week expedition on Saturday.

The group was reportedly with two teachers and a local mountain guide when an incident involving the sixth-former occurred.

The rest of the school party are expected to fly home today.

Pupils at the school were told the news during assemblies yesterday and the school has written to parents.

Cynthia Welbourn, director of education at North Yorkshire County Council, said: "I have been in constant touch with the school.

"We have offered a full counselling service for everyone concerned and support for the school community.

"I have no doubt that the professionalism of the headteacher, his senior management team, and the other staff will help the school through this difficult time.