The family of a British journalist believed to have been killed while reporting on the conflict between Chechen rebels and Russian forces paid tribute to him last night.

Roddy Scott, 31, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is understood to have died during clashes between the two groups on Thursday, in Chechnya's neighbouring republic of Ingushetia.

Although the journalist's body has not been formally identified, his passport and camera were found with the remains following the battle, said Vaughan Smith, managing director of Frontline Television, which helped distributed Mr Scott's material to broadcasters.

Mr Smith said there was still some confusion in Russia as authorities had said the body did not match Mr Scott's passport picture, but his family were assuming the worst.

The family's statement said: ''He undertook his last and fatal trip in the full knowledge of the extreme dangers that were inherent in it. But as always, with the full support of his family and friends, who recognised that efforts to dissuade him would be fruitless.

''Whether it was Kurds, Chechens, Afghans or Palestinians he was committed to ensuring that issues were not sidelined and received the international attention that that they deserved.''

The family said that between trips he spent much time conducting research from the family farm in North Yorkshire or with friends and family in London.

Yesterday Foreign Secretary Jack Straw expressed ''grave concern'' following the reports that Mr Scott may have been killed.

He paid tribute, saying: ''Roddy was a tenacious, courageous reporter."