MANILA - HUNDREDS of passengers were left stranded at ports in the central Philippines on Tuesday after the coast guard ordered ships ashore to escape a tropical storm, reports said.

Vessels have been told not to leave islands at the south-east tip of the main island of Luzon, which the weather bureau said could be hit with gusts of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour.

Ferries and cargo ships weighing 1,000 tonnes or less were also restricted to port on the islands of Catanduanes, Burias, Romblon, and Marinduque - or ordered to seek shelter if they are already at sea, the coastguard added.

The local weather service said the storm, given the name 'Nangka", was due to hit the Pacific coast of Samar, the country's third largest island, on Tuesday afternoon.

Local television in Samar said hundreds of people who rely on small ferries to commute between central islands were stranded at major ports in the area.

Forecasters said the storm was on course to hit Manila early Thursday. -- AFP