Earthquake measuring 3.8 on Richter scale hits East Midlands

An earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale has struck the UK - he second earthquake in just two days.

The latest quake hit the East Midlands village of Cottesmore, in Rutland, at 10.25pm last night, according to the US Geological Survey.

It came after an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 was recorded in Winchester on Tuesday.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) said they had had 850 reports from people who felt the tremors, from as far away as Doncaster and Grimsby to the north and Dudley to the west. Words: PA

It tweeted: "Initial data shows, magnitude 3.8, depth 8km, locality Oakham in Rutland. Actual time of earthquake 22:25."

Residents took to Twitter to tell of their shock after realising an earthquake had struck.

Sally Smart wrote: "Earthquake wow that was a biggen!! Thought a truck was coming through the house #adrenalinepumping."

A man called Ben wrote: "How was there an earthquake in England? It's the end of the world."

Another called Dirk wrote: "Meanwhile on Facebook, people from my village, where the earthquake barely hit, are making sure they're all okay and prepared for the worst."

Others posted photographs of framed pictures hanging on the walls slightly askew to show the aftermath of the earthquake.

It comes after an earthquake hit Winchester on Tuesday with police receiving reports of something which "felt like an explosion which shook their houses".

The quake is believed to have hit the Hampshire town at about 6.30pm at a depth of three kilometres, according to the BGS website.

A police spokesman said that no explanation or cause for the shaking could be found and no injuries had been reported.

The BGS said it had received a report from a residents who said "the whole bed was visibly shaking" as well as one who said the earthquake sounded "like a bus" crashing "into the neighbours house at speed".

Another told the BGS: "At least five other households ran outside to make sense of what had shook the houses."

A spokesman for the British Army, which has a base near the latest quake's epicentre, said: "The earthquake was felt at Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore.

"There have been no reports of damage."

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