A ROCKY planet discovered in a neighbouring solar system may support alien life, scientists said yesterday.

The newly discovered world just four light years (25 trillion miles) from Earth is close enough to be reached by future space missions.

Proxima B, which is larger than Earth, orbits our closest stellar neighbour Proxima Centauri.

Proxima B orbits closer to its sun than Earth, but because Proxima Centauri is a dim dwarf star it radiates less heat and still occupies the “habitable zone” where temperatures are mild enough to permit liquid surface water.

Queen Mary University’s Dr Guillem Anglada-Escude, who led an international team of astronomers, said: “We hope these findings inspire future generations to keep looking beyond the stars. The search for life on Proxima B comes next.”