The German woman was climbing on Càrn Dearg. Photo: Graham Lewis

Police have revealed that the woman who died in a fall on Ben Nevis on New Year’s Day was from Germany.

The 21-year-old student from the University of Bristol was climbing with a group on the Ledge Route on the North Face when she fell about 150m (500ft) in icy conditions.

The alarm was raised about 10.40am and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was joined by the Inverness Coastguard helicopter in the operation to recover the climber’s body and help her companions to safety.

Police Scotland said the next-of-kin of the woman, who has not been named, have been informed.

Sergeant Michael Bell said: “Our thoughts are with the woman’s friends and family at this tragic time.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

In December, 21-year-old Cardiff University student Patrick Boothroyd, of Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, died when he fell in Tower Gully on the North Face of Britain’s highest mountain.