BUILDINGS rattled along the Harwich coast as a magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit Kent in the early hours last Friday.

Police said there were no injuries or damage to buildings following the quake, near Sandwich, which is about 60km from Harwich.

The tremor was felt in Dovercourt, Parkeston, Wix and Little Oakley shortly after 2.52am.

People reported being woken from their sleep. Seismologists at the British Geological Survey confirmed the tremor had been a 4.2 magnitude earthquake.

Residents in Tendring took to Facebook and contacted the Standard to say they had experienced the quake.

Craig Williams added: “I had just got in from work at about 3am and the entire house shook for a couple of seconds.

“It was quite scary actually, considering it was such a small quake.”

John Holland, of Low Road, Dovercourt, said: “It woke me up at 2.52am. There was a shaking of the bed and items on the dressing table rattled.

“At first, I thought it was a passing heavy lorry.”