Strong shake felt in Wellington

Damage in Wellington from the earthquake that shook the Capital in July. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The centre of the country was rocked by a strong earthquake early this morning.

The 5.1 magnitude jolt was centred 35km north-east of Seddon in Marlborough at a depth of 16km. It hit at 12.04am and was widely felt, though there were no reports of damage.

A police spokesman in Wellington said his building "jumped up and down" with the force of the shake.

The Marlborough and Wellington regions have been shaking since a 6.5 magnitude jolt hit near Seddon in July.