In pictures: Mayon volcano rumbles

Thousands of people have been evacuated as Mount Mayon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, rumbled back to life and began spewing lava.

Lava flows from the crater of Mayon volcano seen from Legazpi City, Albay province, southeast of Manila on 17 September, 2014AFP

Villagers have been ordered to evacuate from homes immediately around the volcano's slopes.

Filipino villagers carry their belongings towards military trucks during a mandatory evacuation near the restive Mayon Volcano in Guinobatan town, Albay province, Philippines on 17 September 2014EPA

Residents of the 6-8km zone around the mountain are also being urged to leave.

Filipino villagers living near restive Mayon Volcano arrive in a public school turned into a temporary evacuation in Guinobatan town, Albay province, Philippines, on 17 September 2014EPA

Below, a Filipino soldier lends his assistance to an elderly couple in Guinobatan town, Albay province.

A Filipino soldier assists an elderly to board a military truck during an evacuation of residents living near the restive Mayon Volcano in Guinobatan town, Albay province, Philippines on 17 September 2014EPA

On Wednesday, Mt Mayon's crater glowed red as molten rocks began to flow down its slopes. Scientists also recorded a series of small earthquakes and volcanic smoke.

Lava cascades flow down the slope of the Mayon Volcano as seen from Legazpi City, Albay province, Philippines on 16 September 2014EPA

The volcano has erupted more than 40 times since records began. Its most violent eruption killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns in 1814. This picture below shows an eruption in 2006.

Lava flows from a crater of the restive Mayon volcano as seen from nearby city of Legazpi on 15 August 2006Getty Images

In this file photo taken on 28 December 2009, children cover their faces to avoid inhaling ash after Mount Mayon shot a column of ash into the air.

Children cover their faces to avoid inhaling ash after Mount Mayon in the Philippines shot a column of ash into the air on 28 December, 2009AFP

Despite the danger however, visitors come to the region to see the rumbling volcano.

Foreign tourists have their photos taken at the airport with the back drop of Mayon volcano spewing ash into the air in Legazpi City, Albay province, southeast of Manila on 24 December 2009AFP