Ananova:

Several members of a Russian cult preparing for the imminent destruction of the planet have left their cave after it began to collapse around them.

Followers of Pyotr Kuznetsov, an engineer-turned-prophet who reportedly sleeps in a coffin, were persuaded to leave their man-made bunker after melting snow caused part of its roof to cave in.

Mr Kuznetsov's disciples, who styled themselves the True Russian Orthodox Church, secreted themselves underground in November after they were told that God would bring the world to an end in a hail of brimstone some time in May.

But according to the Daily Telegraph officials in the Penza region of western Russia say that many had begun to have second thoughts as temperatures climbed above zero with the onset of Spring.

"The sect members realised their lives could have been in danger if they remained underground during the spring thaw," a regional spokesman said.

Police and Orthodox clergymen who tried to communicate with followers through a makeshift chimney were chased away with rifle shots last month.

Sect members, who lived in fear of supermarkets and cannibals, also threatened to blow themselves up if police attempted to storm the cave.

"According to our estimates, in Spring 2008 the devil will be thrown into the fire," Kuznetsov said earlier this year.

Among the creeds of his faith was a belief that supermarket barcodes were satanic.

He also forbade his followers from using money, watching television and listening to the radio.

Although 21 of his disciples have now left the cave, a determined core of 14 - including a two-year-old-girl - remain underground.