Chile's Calbuco volcano has erupted for the first time in 43 years, leading authorities to order 1,500 people to leave the nearby town of Ensenada.

The volcano, which has been inactive since 1972, spilled a huge ash cloud into the skies above southern Chile.

The National Mining and Geological Service issued a high alert and banned access to areas close to the volcano.

The volcano close to the cities of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, and around 620 miles south of the capital Santiago.

Alejandro Verges, a regional emergency director of the Los Lagos region, said the eruption was unexpected.

"For us it was a surprise," he said.

Authorities say that while a large amount of ash has spilled from the volcano, no lava has been spotted.

Calbuco is 6,500ft-tall and is considered one of Chile's top three most dangerous volcanoes.

The country has around 90 active volcanos, including Villarica, which erupted in southern Chile last month and forced authorities to evacuate thousands of people.