HAMPSHIRE villagers tonight reported a mini-earthquake shaking their homes this evening.

People living in the South Wonston and Kings Worthy, an area north of Winchester, said the ground shook for several seconds at about 6.30pm followed by a loud bang.

Experts have revealed a tremor measuring 2.9 on the Richter Scale shook the area after initial reports of a quake of 2.8.

The British Geological Survery confirmed this evening that the quake was 2.9 and the biggest in Britain for the last 50 days.

The tremor and loud bang caused shock amoung residents living in the area who ran out of their homes.

South Wonston parish councillor David Selby is an experienced hand at earthquakes. Last night’s was the third or fourth he has experienced in Britain.

Mr Selby said today: “The first was in 1956 or ‘57 when I was a student at Nottingham University. When it happened yesterday I was certain what it was.

“I was playing bridge with friends and it was as if someone upstairs had dropped something pretty heavy. The previous ones sounded like a motorbike starting to rev up. This was one big bang.

“I have noticed things before in South Wonston. There are occasions when I am quietly watching TV and you get a slight ripple effect.

“It is a good talking point in the village.”

Aurora Eastwood, of South Wonston Farm, told the Daily Echo: “I was in the barn and the whole building shook.

"Every panel vibrated and the horses lifted their heads up. A neighbour rang me to say their whole house shook. They felt it in Kings Worthy.”

Ms Eastwood said she could think of no explanation as they are a long way from the main railway line.

Pam Logan, who lives in Littleton said: "We were having our dinner when there was a terrific bang and the whole house shook for a few seconds.  It was very disconcerting. 

"We thought that maybe it was some sort of explosion, especially as we live fairly near to the Army Camp.

One man living in South Wonston in the village reported hearing a loud bang shortly after 6pm and said: "The doors and windows and and galsses were shaking and plates and glasses were shaken.

"I went outside and there were loads of neighbours coming out their houses at the same time wondering what it was.

"There's speculation around the village that it's an earthquake or a siesmic boom from a passing aeroplane."

Hampshire Chronicle reporter Ali Kefford felt it from her home.

She said: "We felt it jolting and it it really stopped us in our tracks. We felt the whole house move and it sounded like an explosion.

"We ran outside to see what happened and everyone else was doing the same thing.

"My young daughter was really scared but now she is fine and is really excited that it is an earthquake."

Hampshire Constabulary received numerous calls from peope in the Winchester and South Wonston areas of a report of a large bang.

They contacted several agencies including fellow emergency services, the military, Southampton Airport, British Rail, Esso and Worthy Down Army Camp to find out the cause of the noise and tremor.

They also sent out a police helicopter to survey the area.

A spokeswoman said: "We've received numerous calls from the Winchester area and have contacted other agencies to investigate.

"There was no heat excess and no damage or fatalities. Agencies have said it is a possible earthquake altough we can't confirm that yet."

Hampshire Fire Rescue and Rescue were alerted by staff from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) who reported hearing a loud bang "like an  explosion".

The sent out fire engines from Winchester and Eastleigh fire stations for safety but they were called back to the station when they were not required.