Hundreds of Hampshire Filipinos are keeping a close eye on the impact of a typhoon sweeping across the Philippines

More than half a million people have fled coastal areas as Typhoon Hagupit has started to cause havoc.

Sustained winds of more than 100mph have been reported and gusts of 130mph.

Trees have been toppled along with powerlines while coastal areas are being threatened by a powerful sea-surge.

It comes a year after Typhoon Haiyan left the country devastated with millions of people losing their homes and a death toll of more than 10,000 people.

In Hampshire hundreds of Filipinos are keeping a close eye on the latest news, with many glued to the TV screens and regularly keeping in contact with family members.

President of Filipino Community in Hampshire Alvin Agbay says that the community are ready to respond, but they do not yet know how serious the typhoon is.

He said: “I hope that everything is okay because they say that the winds have dropped down. But we are ready if it is as bad as Haiyan.”

Mr Agbay, 41, from Springford Road, is keeping in touch with family members who live south of Manilla, to find out how bad it is.

He said: “I am worried because my family are still there. It will hit where my family are tomorrow and I'm keeping a close eye on everything.”

Last year the community raised thousands of pounds and also donated two containers worth of clothing to help those affected.

This year however, they say that if there is any appeal it will be mainly 'money' based, as there were difficulties in the aid reaching people.

Mr Agbay, added: “We have learnt lessons from last year because we collected lots of goods and old clothing to send to the Philippines but we did not know if they arrived.”