Earthquake recorded in East Midlands...the SECOND tremor to hit UK in 48hrs

The earthquake caused buildings to shake in Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire after it began just after 10.25pm   

Richter scale: A tremor hit Hampshire on Tuesday

An earthquake has hit the East Midlands, the second tremor recorded in the UK in 48hrs.

The magnitude 3.8 quake, according to the US Geological Survey, was recorded near Cottesmore in Rutland.

The earthquake caused buildings to shake in Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire after it began just after 10.25pm.

Residents took to Twitter to tell of their shock after realising an earthquake had struck.

Sally Smart wrote: "Earthquake wow that was a biggen!! Thought a truck was coming through the house £adrenalinepumping."

A man called Ben wrote: "How was there an earthquake in England? It's the end of the world."

A tremor with a magnitude of 2.9 was recorded in Hampshire on Tuesday.

The latest earthquake comes as Britain is braced for a brutal blast of Arctic weather.

Tremor: The quake shook buildings in Leicestershire, Rutland and Lincolnshire

Forecasters have warned the Arctic onslaught will strike in two phases with an even more brutal blast predicted after the weekend.

A yellow ‘be prepared’ weather warning for snow has already been put place by the Met Office in all parts of Britain north of the Midlands as temperatures plunge to -10C.

Forecasters also warned the public to be aware of possible disruption to travel, while health officials urged people to take extra care.

The freezing weather is being driven by a freak “displaced Polar vortex” and chaotic jet stream which will drag a swathe of freezing air down from the North Pole.

Experts say though not directly linked, the UK cold snap will be fuelled by the big freeze currently crippling the United States.

Snow began to hit parts of Scotland and northern England following heavy rain and gusts of more than 80mph.

The Met Office said further heavy wintry showers and blizzards will spark treacherous driving conditions through Thursday.

Temperatures in the north plummeted to -10C with bitter winds making it feel closer to -13C (9F) while the south nosedived to -1C (30F).

As Britain braces itself to shiver in ice and snow Russian homeowners have been trapped indoors after a raging storm turned into a frozen lake overnight.