A former Canterbury teacher is stranded in St Vincent after a "terrifying" volcanic eruption covered the Caribbean Island in a layer of ash.

La Soufrière became active again in December after laying dormant for more than 40 years - before an explosive eruption on April 9.

Noreen Caplen-Spence, 66, had flown out to the island in September after learning her father, who lived there, was dying.

She had managed to spend some precious moments with him before his death in January.

The former Canterbury King's School teacher - who grew up on the island as a child - then fell ill herself and was forced to stay. She managed to book a flight in March, but this was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Then the first eruption happened on April 9. A thick layer of ash can be seen across most of St Vincent, with more than 13,000 displaced and many using shelters.

People have been told to stay indoors if possible, and to close windows and doors, or to wear a mask if they need to go outdoors.

Eruptions from the volcano - which peaks at 4,049 ft - have continued for almost two weeks and have affected surrounding islands, such as Barbados.

Some people managed to flee the island on boats, but many have not been able to escape.

Noreen, who is from Canterbury, spoke to KentOnline about what she has witnessed over the past fortnight.

"It looked like pictures you see of a nuclear bomb," she said. "I have felt earthquakes before - just little tremors.

"I could see this plume and it rose like nothing I had seen before. It enveloped the clouds, covered the sky and then there was complete darkness.

Noreen captures the ash cloud in St Vincent

"Animals started behaving strangely, the birds were very loud and then there was silence after this loud shake.

"The ash formation was terrifying because you saw it and you knew it was going to land somewhere."

She is based to the south of the island in a town called Prospect, near Brighton, with La Soufrière situated north - but that has not helped her avoid the chaos.

Her voice cracking with emotion, she added: "There is likely to be more eruptions so that is hanging over and each time you wake up you are expecting a blast.

"The village where I was born has been practically wiped-up and is in a sad state.

"People are being put with families they don’t know in shelters and children are lost."

And while she was on the phone to KentOnline, a man could be heard in the background shouting that there had been yet another eruption.

Noreen was in shock but managed to describe the hot air and a thick black cloud of ash, and said: "I wasn’t expecting that. This one looks smaller from the ash plume as it’s not so dramatic."

However, she believes she has "seen the best of human nature" with selfless people trying to help each other as much as possible.

Her son, Dan Caplen - who is also trapped on the island - and his friend, Marlon Roudette, are fundraising and managing donations.

The two musicians have bought supplies such as food, masks and bottled water from local businesses and are delivering them to evacuees in shelters using trusted personnel.

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.

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