Property owners were out this morning assessing the damage to their homes and businesses after Britain suffered its biggest earthquake in over two decades.

The tremor, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale and with its focus 3.1 miles (5km) below the Lincolnshire town of Market Rasen, struck at 12.56am.

It was felt from southern Scotland to the south coast of England, and from East Anglia to Wales, with tremors lasting for up to a minute that sent walls vibrating, chimneys shaking, furniture moving, paperwork tumbling and ornaments rattling on shelves.

The only definite report of injury was of David Bates, a 19-year-old student from Wombwell, Barnsley, who suffered a suspected fractured pelvis when part of the roof masonry fell through the ceiling of his attic bedroom and landed on his legs as he watched TV. His parents were also in the house, but were unhurt.

His father said today: “Of all the things that can happen - an earthquake. I could not believe it but when I think about it, it could have been worse.”

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said that "some sort of fancy stonework" had become dislodged.

In Birmingham a 31-year-old pregnant woman suffered a panic attack, but did not need hospital treatment.

But emergency services were inundated with calls from puzzled and frightened people woken from sleep by the quake. This morning they were still dealing with minor damage caused by the earth movement.

In many places people were anxious enough to leave their houses. Ken Bridger, Market Rasen, wrote in a comment on Times Online: "I was woken at about 1am with a violent shudder, the house seem to be moving from side to side and the mirror rattling against the wall.

"I knew it was an earthquake due to the sheer movement that had taken place. I got dressed and went outside, there were people out of their houses along the main street."

Eleanor Ramsey, 31, also of Market Rasen, said: “I was scared to death. The whole house was shaking.

“It felt like a bomb had gone off. I woke up screaming and my son was screaming, so we got the children in bed with us. I have never been so scared in my life.”

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