Quake bills set to total millions

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Thousands of people were shaken awake when the tremor struck just before 1am on Wednesday and damage was caused to hundreds of homes and businesses.

Insurers estimate that the damage caused by the quake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, may mean them paying out "tens of millions of pounds".

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) based its assessment on figures for a smaller earthquake in Folkestone, Kent, in April 2007 which resulted in claims totalling £15 million.

The only reported injury was to student David Bates, 19, who suffered a suspected broken pelvis when a chunk of masonry from a chimney stack crashed into his bedroom.

The keen amateur footballer was watching TV in bed at his home in Barnsley Road, Wombwell, South Yorkshire, when the earthquake struck.

He was taken to Barnsley Hospital and told staff he was worried about missing important Barnsley FC matches.

His father, Paul Bates said: "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."

The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the quake hit at 12.56am and its epicentre was just north of Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.

BGS seismologist Brian Baptie said it was "a significant earthquake for the UK".