Earthquake strikes Cumbria

NO injuries or damage have been reported following an earthquake in Cumbria measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, emergency services said yesterday.

Many people were in bed when the tremor struck just before 11pm on Tuesday near Coniston and lasted for up to a minute. Some rushed out from their homes on to the street after the rude awakening. The police and fire service received a number of calls from members of the public who were concerned at the late-night incident in which buildings wobbled.

The earthquake was felt as far away as Lancashire, south-west Scotland, Northumberland and the Isle of Man.