A 3.3-magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of southern England this morning, with witnesses describing houses shaking as if there had been "an explosion".

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has said it is investigating after the earthquake hit Bedfordshire around 9am this morning, and was felt in London and across the south east.

Initial data on the BGS site suggested the quake was felt in the region of Leighton Buzzard at around 8.45am and was magnitude 3.3 at a depth of 10km.

Local police said they were taking a "large" number of calls from concerned members of the public.

Witnesses told the PA news agency they felt "strong" shaking during the tremor.

Usha Chapman from Luton said: "I was on a video call with my mum when I felt a sideways push. The door rattled and the TV fixed to the wall also rattled.

"It lasted for five seconds."

Bedfordshire Police said no injuries had been reported.

The force said in a tweet: "Our control room are currently experiencing a large number of calls due to an earthquake which was felt across the county. We have currently received no reports of any injuries or major structural damage."

One person in Aylesbury wrote online that their house shook "as if it was hit by a vehicle".

Another from Dacorum in Hertfordshire said: "Short quick quiet boom like an explosion."

The BGS said one report suggested the earthquake was like a "large explosion".

A tweet said: "BGS is receiving many notifications from press & public in this heavily populated area. Reports include 'like a convey of HGVs driving past my front door at great speed', 'the house had one dramatic shake', 'felt like whole house was shaking' & 'it was like a large explosion'."