Volcano in Philippines

Philippines' most active volcano, Mount Mayon, sprayed lava and ash causing more than 34,000 people to be evacuated as fears increased that it may be about to erupt.

Reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the lava flowed almost 2km from the crater with ash falling on several nearby villages. Many residents were forced to leave their homes to temporary shelters  set up in schools.

Officials from the province of Albay declared a state of emergency to allow disaster funds and relief to be released. Police checkpoints and cordons have been set up 7km around Mount Mayon, for the safety of residents.

Scientists have not yet detected enough volcanic earthquakes to raise alert levels, and continue to monitor the situation.