British tourists drown in Spain

Two Britons who drowned in stormy waters while on holiday in Spain were named today.

Mark Porter, 29, and 24-year-old Michelle Clydesdale died after they left their hotel in the resort of Salou, near Tarragona, to go swimming in the early hours of today.

They were with three other friends when they got into trouble and drowned.

Ms Clydesdale was from Scotland but it is not known where Mr Porter was from in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We can confirm the death of two British nationals (Mark Porter and Michelle Clydesdale) in Salou, Spain.

"The next of kin have been informed and we are offering consular assistance to them. We understand that they went swimming and got into difficulties."

It is understood the pair were found on the beach after being washed up by large waves.

Their bodies were taken to the regional capital of Tarragona on the north-eastern coast of Spain for post-mortem examinations.

They went missing shortly before 2.30am and their three friends raised the alarm.

The local fire department said the weather was stormy at the time, with waves some 7ft high.