First hurricane of 2010 Pacific season forms off Mexico

The first hurricane of the 2010 Pacific season has formed off the coast of Acapulco in Mexico, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.

Hurricane Celia formed more than 350 miles (560km) south of the tourist resort, and is heading away from land.

With wind speeds of 75mph (120km/h), the NHC has classed it as a Category One hurricane.

Mexico's oil export facilities are in the Gulf of Mexico, well away from Celia's path, Reuters reports.

According to the NHC, the Pacific hurricane season usually lasts until November.

There are fears that hurricanes in the Atlantic - which tend to start in August - could disrupt efforts to stem the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill off the US coast.