An earthquake measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale unleashed panic in the town of Lorca early this morning, although no material damage was recorded and no-one was actually hurt.

According to data provided by the National Geographic Institute, the tremor struck at 3.32am and its epicentre was in the north east of Lorca, some six kilometres from the town centre.

The emergency services confirmed that they had received between 70 and 80 calls from local people reporting the earthquake.

There was a second quake in Lorca at 10.34am, this time measuring 1.6 on the Richter scale, but it went unnoticed by the locals.