In pictures: Filipinos flee volcano

A man collects sand near Legazpi City, Albay province, with Mayon volcano in the distance - 18 December 2009

Scientists in the Philippines say they expect Mount Mayon to erupt at any time. The volcano has been emitting lava and ash for days.

Soldiers at a roadblock prevent people from entering the eight-kilometre exclusion zone around Mayon volcano in Albay province, the Philippines - 20 December 2009

Security forces have set up an 8km exclusion zone around the volcano and have ordered people to evacuate the area.

Children who have evacuated their homes near Mayon volcano praying at a temporary shelter in a village near the town of Guinobatan in Albay province - 21 December 2009

About 40,000 people have moved to temporary evacuation shelters, but officials have estimated that several thousand are still within the danger zone, unwilling to leave their farms and livestock.

A police officer escorts residents away from the area near Mayon volcano near the town of Guinobatan in Albay province - 21 December 2009

Police have recently stepped up their enforcement of the exclusion zone, and have had to escort some people from the area.

Villagers evacuated as area around Mount Mayon put on alert

Evacuations began when the volcano became more active last week. On Sunday, the number of volcanic earthquakes more than doubled, signalling an eruption is possible within days.

Smoke plumes from Mayon volcano in Philippines

Mount Mayon last erupted in 2006, when it expelled lava and steam for two months.

Lava spews from Mayon volcano in the Philippines - 19 December 2009

The volcano has erupted 48 times since records began, but the most violent one was in 1814, when more than 1,200 people were killed and several towns destroyed.