GREATER Manchester has been struck by a series of earth tremors although there is no reported damage. The largest, at lunchtime, measured 3.9 on the Richter scale.

The British Geological Survey said that first readings showed that the initial earthquake shortly before 9am had measured between 2.5 and 3 on the Richter scale.

The later, stronger, shocks were reported about three hours later.

More information from the BGS website HERE

Assistant seismologist Julian Bukits said the tremors were not comparable to that which shook the West Midlands last month and which measured 4.8 on the scale.

Mr Bukits said that the largest earthquake at 12.42pm was followed by a smaller tremor of 3.4 on the Richter scale.

"Three earthquakes in such a short space of time is highly unusual," he said.

"Our Internet site has been jammed with people filling in the questionnaire and telling us their experiences."

People in Bolton felt the earth tremor which struck in the centre of the town at 12.42pm. The movement was also felt in Horwich.

Staff in the editorial department of the Bolton Evening News, situated on the third floor of the building in Churchgate, felt the building move for a few seconds.

Internet Editor Chris Sudlow said: "There was no noise but just a strange movement in the floor. It was unnerving."

News Editor John Horne sitting alongside said: "The building definitely shook. I have never felt anything like it before.

"You hear about them abroad but tend to think they won't happen here.

"It's a little bit frightening, really."

The first tremor at breakfast time shook parts of the Greater Manchester area although it was not felt in the Bolton area.

A two-second rumble was felt over a wide area of the city just before 9am followed by a smaller tremor some 10 minutes later.

Emergency services reported dozens of calls but said it was too early to say if any damage had been caused.

The BGS survey said that first readings showed that the earthquake had measured between 2.5 and 3 on the Richter scale.

Mr Bukits, at the Survey's headquarters in Edinburgh, said: "Because it is such a densely populated area more people will have felt the effects and more people will have reported it."

Readings were still being analysed. Mr Bukits said that if the tremor had measured 2.5 around 10 such earthquakes would be expected in the UK each year. If the reading was three, then three such tremors would be expected in a year.