A 3.3-magnitude earthquake struck north-west England in the middle of the night, waking up locals who reported hearing an 'explosion' which shook their homes.

Data issued by the British Geological Survey (BGS) shows that the earthquake struck off the coast of Silverdale at 11.23pm, on Wednesday, December 3, at a depth of 3km (1.86 miles).

The quake was felt across the South Lakes and Lancashire, mainly within 20km of the epicentre, including Kendal and Ulverston, in neighbouring Cumbria, the BGS told Sky News.

BGS data showed at least 13 earthquakes have been recorded in the United Kingdom since November 28.

Despite there being around 200 to 300 earthquakes each year in the UK, detected by the BGS, only 20 to 30 of these are said to be felt by people. A few hundred smaller earthquakes are only recorded by sensitive instruments.

Most of these earthquakes are very small and cause no damage.

Social media users took to platforms to share how they felt the tremor.

"Definitely felt this #earthquake in north Lancaster. We live near the West Coast Main Line and initially thought the rumbling was a train but then felt the shaking," said one X user.

"I'm in South Cumbria & my house shook!" another replied.