EAST Lancashire was hit by an earthquake over the weekend, experts revealed this morning.

The British Geological Survey recorded a quake of 2.2 magnitude at 2.33pm on Saturday, that they say was felt nine kilometres south, south east of Blackburn - in the Darwen area.

Scientists said the epicentre was at at depth of seven kilometres.

A measurement of 2.2. on the Richter scale is deemed as 'minor', not generally felt, but strong enough to be recorded.

There are about 1.3million quakes of a similar magnitude each year worldwide.