In pictures: Taal erupts and coats Philippines towns in ash

Taal volcano in the Philippines started to erupt on Sunday. Rumbling sounds and tremors were followed by a huge plume of ash being released into the sky.

Towns around Taal - which is about 70km (45 miles) south of the capital Manila - were coated in thick ash and sludge, and in the early hours of Monday morning the volcano began to spew lava.

Taal is the Philippines' second most active volcano. It is also one of the world's smallest volcanoes, and has recorded at least 34 eruptions in the past 450 years.

Lightning was seen striking around the volcano's ash clouds as it erupted.

Ash has settled over many of the surrounding towns and cities.

People fleeing the eruption protected themselves against the falling ash.

This woman used an umbrella.

About 8,000 people are being evacuated from the area. These residents in Lemery left on a flatbed truck.

Others, such as these residents of Tanauan town, fled in heavy duty vehicles that needed to drive through thick ashy mud.

Residents have also made their way on motorbikes and mopeds - sending clouds of ash up behind them.

This young man, who lives at the foot of the volcano in Batangas province escaped on an outrigger canoe.

But some residents haven't been able to evacuate.

This cat and her young kittens waited under a bridge for the ash to clear.

Residents in Tagaytay City gathered to watch the volcano erupting on Monday.

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