This is the moment a 10-year-old girl was pulled alive from rubble nearly 24 hours after an earthquake hit Italy.

Rescuers cheered as the youngster - who was covered in dust - was lifted to safety.

A firefighter looked emotional as he hugged the little girl before carrying her away from the debris she had been buried under.

At least 159 people are dead after the quake which hit central Italy on Tuesday night.

Some towns have been reduced to rubble and many residents found themselves sleeping in shelters or tents overnight.

With dozens still feared trapped, rescuers worked through the night in a race against time to dig out survivors.

An 11-year-old boy buried in rubble in the town of Lazio had been heard crying for help - but was sadly found dead.

Sergio Pirozzi, Mayor of the town of Amatrice - one of the worst hit - said: "The town no longer exists."