RESIDENTS have reacted to an earthquake which struck just outside of Winchester last night.

It rocked homes and sparked a hectic night for emergency services.

The shock tremor measured 2.9 on the Richter scale and was felt across much of Hampshire.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The epicentre was 3km below Headbourne Worthy and residents in the surrounding villages said there was a bang like an explosion.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Tom Nalbat, 43, owner of Springvale Stores, in Fraser Road, Kings Worthy, said: "Everything was rattling.

I was just lying on the sofa and I heard this rattling noise and I thought it was some sort of explosion.

"Then I came outside to check, then I thought it must have been an earthquake because I felt something similar when I was back in India 20 years ago."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Thelma Paige, 80, retired, of Fraser Road, Kings Worthy, said: "I thought someone was playing about outside because I could hear the door rattling.

"The dog got up and started barking for around three or four seconds. I didn't even think it could have been an earthquake. My son in Littleton felt it too."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Sophie White, 25, retail worker, of Wesley Road, said: "I was stood in the bathroom and suddenly there was a big bang - I just thought it was my son jumping on the bed or pictures falling off the wall. It wasn't until I looked on Facebook that I realised that it was a mini earthquake.

"It happened quickly but it was weird because it was not expected."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Martin Bond, 48, unemployed, of Harwood Place, Kings Worthy, said: "It felt like the house was coming down or something had hit the house. I got up and looked around to check if someone was there. It was a bit weird."

(Below) Ellie Jones, 18, assistant manager of the Good Life Centre in Headbourne Worthy, talks about what happened.