It takes a lot to frighten supergran Ada Gibson.

The 93-year-old great-grandmother, of Clayton-le-Moors, has lived through two world wars.

However the sprightly pensioner said today's earthquake was enough to test her nerve.

The keen swimmer, who lives in Grange Street, said: "As a parent you don't tend to show your feelings because it will scare the children but I was frightened when I felt the tremor.

"I'd got up to make a cup of tea and went back to bed when all of a sudden I felt the bed shaking.

"It felt like the bed was lifting up off the floor.

"It was a horrible feeling. I didn't know what on earth was going on.

"I remember running and hiding under the stairs when the house in Clayton-le-Moors was bombed during the second world war.

"I knew what that was but it's the not knowing that makes something all the more frightening.

"I knew it wasn't thunder and lightning, it was something I have never experienced before.

"I thought my central heating system was going to blow up.

"But then I switched the wireless radio on and it was taking about an earthquake.

"I thought good God above. I'm 93 years old and can honestly say I've never felt anything like it and I don't want to experience it again.

"It makes me feel thankful to be alive and sorry for all the people living abroad that have to experience earthquakes all the time."