STUDENTS from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham had a close encounter with the Italian earthquake at the weekend.

Nine journalism students and lecturer Steve Usher of Shortheath Road were shaken awake at 4am on Sunday morning as the quake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, rocked northern Italy and claimed at least seven lives.

The group were staying at the Hotel Tiby in Viae Ranusso, Modena as part of a trip to see the Mille Miglia classic car race.

Cracks climbed the walls and across the ceilings of the students' bedrooms as the earth moved and frightened guests were forced to flee.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.