What are gravitational waves and have they been discovered?

Physicists may have proved the existence of gravitational waves: ripples in space time searched for since the 1930s as part of Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Science editor Tom Feilden explained that this discovery, if confirmed, would allow us to see the universe in a new way.

"Understanding how gravity works gives a new window on the universe using gravity rather than light," he said.