Mystery surrounds a loud bang heard in Popley last night.

Residents have been left scratching their heads after the noise "shook their homes" at around 6.50pm on Thursday night.

Various theories about the cause of the noise have been circulating on social media.

Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have been unable to shed any light on the phenomenon.

The fire service said: "We didn't seem to have any incidents in the north of the county at that sort of time last night."

READ MORE: Watch: Mysterious loud bang in Popley captured on doorbell camera 

Additionally, the Met Office confirmed that there was no lightning activity in the area last night.

A spokesperson said: "There was some cloud present in the area, but the atmosphere wasn’t ‘primed’ for lightning activity and we weren’t expecting the lightning detectors to pick up any activity.

"Therefore on this basis we feel that non-meteorological explanations for the incident should be reflected upon instead."

Some social media posts likened the noise to a sonic boom, caused by planes that break the sound barrier.

READ MORE: Popley residents baffled by 'loud bang that shook the ground'

The RAF and MOD have both been contacted to ask if they are aware of any flights breaking the sound barrier yesterday evening, and are yet to respond to the Gazette's enquiry.

However, contrary to social media reports, there was not bomb disposal teams at Carpenters Down last night.

The sound could be heard as far as Cliddesden with two dog walkers hearing the sudden noise three miles away from other reports.

It was also heard in Winklebury, Marnel Park and Oakridge.