Super Typhoon Mangkhut has gathered strength as it barrels towards the Philippines, weather officials say.

The storm is now packing winds of 255 km/h (160 mph) and officials say more than five million people are directly in its path.

Last-minute preparations are under way before it makes landfall on the northern tip of the main island of Luzon by Saturday.

Flights have been cancelled, schools shut and the army is on standby.

Officials have said that the storm, which is 900km in diameter, will be powerful enough to remain a "considerable threat" even if it slows down before making landfall.

The storm - known locally as Ompong - has already pummelled the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

Authorities say they expect storm surges of up to 7m (23 feet) and are warning that heavy rains could trigger landslides and flash floods.

Storm warnings have been issued in 39 provinces and sea and air travel has been restricted.

National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Edgar Posadas told local media that 5.2 million people were expected to be affected, including a million people who live below the poverty line.

"We are really frightened," Delaila Pasion, who had fled her home, told AFP. "They say it is so strong, we were too scared to remain."

"During previous monsoon rains, half of our house was destroyed so I wanted to take my grandchildren to safety," she told journalists.

The Philippines is routinely hit during the typhoon season.

The deadliest storm on record in the country was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 7,000 people and affected millions in 2013.

Source: BBC