Eyewitnesses on the Kent tremors

Damage has been assessed in Folkestone (Picture: Ashley Tanton)

Earth tremors of a magnitude of at least 4.3 shook homes in parts of Kent on Saturday.

The earthquake, which lasted a few seconds, was felt as far afield as Essex, East Sussex and Suffolk.

Here, residents describe their experiences.

KAROL STEELE, DOVER

Just before the earth shook there was a deep rumbling noise and the whole of our street shook in an east-west motion.

The seagulls went crazy and in parts of Dover the electricity is off.

LT COL SYDNEY CARR, DEAL

I have experienced an earthquake in Cyprus and the tremors this morning were definitely similar, I would estimate an earthquake of about three to four.

HENDRICK VAN ECK, CANTERBURY

I was lying in bed and it felt as if someone had just got up from bed next to me.

I then heard the sound of cracking, and it was getting heavier and heavier. It felt as if someone was at the end of my bed hopping up and down.

I thought 'That must have been earthquake'. It didn't last very long, just a matter of seconds.

RACHAEL HILL, DOVER

I live in Dover, and have just experienced the tremors. My four-year-old son and I were getting washed and dressed. We thought it was a large vehicle passing, but then I realised it was tremors.

My mother has just contacted me - she lives in Hawkinge. She experienced it as well and they have lost all power.

It was a shocking experience and has frightened my son.

PAUL RICKARD, DOVER

Our whole house shook for between six and 10 seconds. I thought the roof was coming down.

It was only when we went outside and saw everyone looking out or standing in the street that we realised it was a bigger event.

LISA RIDGWELL, WHITFIELD, DOVER

I experienced the earth tremor in Kent this morning. It happened around 08.15.

I was in bed - there was a really weird noise and the house started swaying which started slowly but intensified for a second or so then stopped.

It lasted around six seconds. I live near a popular area for dog walkers and no-one is about, everyone seems to be staying indoors wondering if there will be another one.

KEITH CRUSH, DOVER

I sort of woke up thinking 'Have I woken up? Am I dreaming?'

But the wardrobe doors were banging and sort of shaking and the bed actually felt like it was moving.

My initial thoughts were, bearing in mind that we have mining tunnels running under this part of Kent, that something had happened and that we had experienced something from that.

BEN MACPHEE, CANTERBURY

I was woken up by the bed shaking, my first thought was 'this feels like an earthquake' but then I thought 'this is Kent, we don't get earthquakes'. Apparently we do.

WILL MAIDMENT, DEAL

I felt our whole flat sway from side to side and it lasted about five to 10 seconds, so I got up quick while it was still swaying.

I thought the place was falling down and looked out my lounge window and could see the aerial on the house opposite shaking. Also the top of the lamppost was swaying slightly.

KAREN KONDO, MINSTER NEAR RAMSGATE

I lived in Japan for seven years and experienced many earthquakes. This morning definitely felt like one.

It was an eerie shaking from side to side lasting several seconds.