The quake struck near a small island chain east of Lombok resort, damaging homes, schools and mosques.

It measured 6.7 on the Richter scale according to the US Geological Survey.

At least 20 people were treated in hospital with many more suffering minor injuries, and the full extent of damage is still being assessed.

Indonesia is situated in an area of intense seismic activity known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire", and is still clearing up after a devastating quake killed more than 1,000 people in September.

Police spokesman Tjatur Aprianto said: "Residential houses, school buildings, mosques have been damaged, but not all of the buildings are totally destroyed, part of them have collapsed."

The quake struck at 0341 (1941 GMT) with an epicentre about 1,300km (807 miles) east of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with a depth of 18km.

The United States' Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no major tsunami threat from the quake.