A 3.3-magnitude earthquake has struck Lancashire – with dozens of people saying it shook their homes or woke them up.

The British Geological Society (BGS) told Sky News it was “felt across the South Lakes and Lancashire, mainly within 20km of the epicentre, including Lancashire, Kendal and Ulverston”.

Preliminary data suggests it struck off the coast of Silverdale at 11.23pm, at a depth of 1.86 miles (3km).

Each year, between 200 and 300 earthquakes are detected and located in the UK by the BGS.

Between 20 and 30 earthquakes are felt by people each year, and a few hundred smaller ones are only recorded by sensitive instruments.

Most of these are very small and cause no damage.

People posted their reaction online. Reports included that the earthquake “felt like an explosion and vibration coming from underground”.

Another comment said it “sounded like bricks falling/the roof falling in”, while another wrote that it was “so powerful to shake the whole house”.

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