YouTube is to give mobile live streaming capabilities to any vlogger with more than 10,000 subscribers, the video service has announced.

As part of an update to the app, any YouTube creator with a large enough following will be able to start a live broadcast on YouTube from their smartphone or tablet and stream directly to their followers.

Video-blogging through the website has launched the careers of hundreds of online personalities, including Zoella and gaming star PewDiePie, who has more than 53 million subscribers.

YouTube said the feature would eventually be extended to all users.

"It's a launch that'll put the power of live streaming in the hands of hundreds of thousands of talented creators, giving them a more intimate and spontaneous way to share their thoughts, lives and creativity," the video platform said in a blog post announcing the feature.

YouTube also announced a new way for YouTube creators to earn money from their live streams, an enhanced messaging service it calls Super Chat. Followers and those watching the video can pay to highlight a message they post to the chat window during a broadcast, and keep it pinned there for up to five hours.

Those posting messages can enter the amount they would like to pay to pin their message.

Super Chat gives viewers a chance to add a little visual flair to their chats and gives creators a new way to keep connected to their fans

"Super Chat gives viewers a chance to add a little visual flair to their chats and gives creators a new way to keep connected to their fans while earning a little money on the side," the Google-owned firm said.

YouTube faces plenty of competition in the live streaming space. Three of the biggest social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - have also recently introduced live video, giving users the chance to broadcast directly from their mobile apps.