A TEACHER from Gravesend living in Japan has described his terror as the devastating earthquake struck.

Michael Wenban, who lives in the coastal city of Chiba, around 50 miles from Tokyo, told the BBC of his shock as the 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Friday.

The earthquake triggered a 10-metre high tsunami which has caused massive destruction, with the official death count currently at more than 1,300.

Mr Wenban, who teaches English, said the building where he lives swayed from side to side and parts fell off.

He described running outside and seeing people crouching in the road and shrieking with fear.

Mr Wenban said nobody was injured in his neighbourhood, but aftershocks are continuing, with one every 10 minutes.

Rescue teams from the UK have joined a huge worldwide relief operation to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.