A huge plume of hot ash vents high into the atmosphere.

Residents of Albay province struggle to keep a motorbike running in order to escape the eruption.

At night Mount Mayon looks spectacular but people have been warned to stay out of the exclusion zone.

Farmers are still able to cultivate rice at a safe distance. The authorties have moved the safety zone from 6km to 8km from the mountain. In February 1993 an eruption claimed 70 victims.

Deadly ash and rock races down the mountain side.

Some residents have not been pleased to leave their homes behind.

Ash has risen some 10km into the air and lumps of lava are reported to be tumbling into a gully on the east side of the mountain at 80km/h. Its most violent eruption was in 1814.

There is still time to look back at the awesome beauty of Mount Mayon.

Lava pictured flowing from the cone in the early hours of the most recent eruption.