16 Dec 2009

Evacuation ordered around volcano

7:02 pm on 16 December 2009

About 50,000 people are being evacuated this week from the area surrounding the most active volcano in the Philippines.

The Mayon volcano is spewing lava and ash, in a slow eruption.

Officials have set up relief centres 7km from the danger zone and say they have enough food and water for a month.

Mayon is 330km from Manila. It last erupted in 2006 when huge deposits of volcanic ash were left on its slopes.

However, the BBC reports it remains a popular tourist attraction and is famous for its perfect cone.

Twenty two active volcanoes are listed in the Philippines.