A FORMER Worcester schoolboy and an ex-Droitwich rugby player are among the Britons feared dead in the Bali nightclub bombing.

Neil Bowler, who went to The King's School, and Tom Holmes, originally from Droitwich, were both on rugby tours at the time of the blast on Saturday night.

Mr Bowler, who moved to Singapore five years ago but was originally from Feckenham, was on tour with Singapore Cricket Club's rugby team.

Tim Keyes, head of The King's School, College Green, said Mr Bowler, who was in his 20s, was remembered with "tremendous affection" at the school, which he left in 1993.

"He was a terrific sportsman," said Mr Keyes. "He was the captain of the First XV rugby team and was also head of house. He was a leading figure in the Sixth Form.

"We are desperately sorry to hear the news and sorry for his family and friends. He had an outstanding school career."

Mr Keyes said he believed Mr Bowler went to Singapore to work for The Economist magazine after leaving the school.

Mr Holmes, aged 39, also moved to Hong Kong five years ago, and was on the Indonesian island with Hong Kong Football Club for the Bali Rugby 10s Tournament.

Many of the 33 Britons feared dead were thought to have been from the Hong Kong club and the Singapore Cricket Club, their friendly rugby rivals.

Mr Holmes' brother, Paul, still lives in Droitwich and was believed to be comforting members of the family last night.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff paid tribute to Mr Holmes.

"I'm sure there will be many people in Droitwich Spa who remember Tom Holmes, and this is a tragedy," he said. "It brings home to us all how terrorism affects every one of us."

Both men were thought to have been in the Sari nightclub at the time of the explosion.

Almost 200 people are feared dead in the attack, which US president George Bush is blaming on the terrorist organisation al Qaeda.

He said he was worried about potential strikes on US soil and drew links between the explosion on a French oil tanker in Yemen, shootings of US Marines in Kuwait and the Bali bombing.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was today due to warn that Britain was not immune from attack.

In a Commons statement, he was set to say the terrorists under suspicion for the "act of wickedness" do have links to al Qaeda.

He was due to tell MPs the bomb blast underlined the need for vigilance and for "us to take seriously the threat from terrorist groups who are prepared to kill anyone and anywhere".