Germanwings plane crash victims: At least three Brits killed on board flight 4U9525

Foreign Secretary says it can’t rule out possibility more Brits are involved

A Lufthansa employee signs in a condolence book in Frankfurt, Germany

At least three British people are believed to have been killed when the Germanwings jet crashed in the French Alps with 150 people on board, the Foreign Secretary has said.

Martyn Matthews, a father of two from Wolverhampton, was this morning named as one of the victims of the crash.

The 50-year-old was reportedly on business in Barcelona and was travelling to a meeting in Germany when the disaster happened.

Martyn Matthews with his daughter Jade, wife Sharon and son, Nathan (FCO)

Speaking today, his family said: “We are devastated at the news of this tragic incident and request that we are allowed to deal with this terrible news without intrusion at this difficult time.”

The second British national was named as Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, from Hull, who was studying hospitality and hotel management at Ceasar Ritz College in Lucerne.

He was described as a "kind, caring and loving son" in statement by his family.

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull, was a passenger on the Airbus flight which crashed in the French Alps

Earlier, a mother from Manchester and her seven-month-old baby were named as among the victims.

Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio, a 37-year-old Spanish national who lived in Rochdale, was on the plane with her seven-month-old son Julian Pracz-Bandres.

She was from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees but living in England with her husband, Pawel Pracz, who spoke today of his loss.

“Marina was visiting her family in Spain for her uncle’s funeral, she bought the tickets at the last moment, and decided to return to Manchester quickly as she wanted to return to her daily routine as soon as possible," he said.

“I'm with my closest family in Manchester, and in close contact with our family in Spain at this very difficult time.

"We are devastated and would like to request that we be allowed to grieve in peace as a family without intrusion at this difficult time.”

Their baby son was believed to be the third British citizen killed in the crash.

Mr Pracz said the family had been living in Manchester for seven years and his wife worked as an editor and colourist in the film industry.

Announcing that at least three British victims had died, Mr Hammond sent his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends who had lost their lives.

He said the Foreign Office could not rule out the possibility of more British victims emerging.

“We currently believe three British people have been killed, but we can’t rule out the possibility that there are more involved,” he said. “We are in contact with the families of those known to be killed, and we are also in touch which the French, German and Spanish authorities.

Mr Hammond's announcement came moments after Germanwings and Lufthansa staff stood in silence in Cologne to honour the dead.