Ernesto 'to become hurricane' over central America

Tropical Storm Ernesto is forecast to reach hurricane strength as it passes northern Honduras and approaches Belize and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said Ernesto was about 455km (285 miles) east of Belize City at 0900GMT on Tuesday.

It is bringing heavy rain and sustained winds of up to 100km/h (65 mph).

A hurricane warning is in effect along the eastern Yucatan peninsula and the entire coast of Belize.

Tropical storm warnings are also in effect for much of the Honduras coast and western section of the Yucatan peninsula.

Officials in Nicaragua and Guatemala are also on alert.

"These rains are likely to cause dangerous flash floods and mudslides over higher terrain," the NHC said in its warning.

In Mexico, authorities have ordered the closure of the Chetumal port and evacuated two fishing villages in the Quintana Roo state, where the major city of Cancun is located.

At least 1,500 people have been moved away from Nicaragua's coastal areas and its border with Honduras.

Officials in Honduras said they were monitoring the situation and working on plans for evacuation and delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Belize government has issued weather alerts for its residents, the Reuters news agency reports, and in Guatemala, relief supplies and rescue equipment are being sent to the vulnerable areas.