Scientists have discovered the most Earth-like planet ever found in another solar system, which may potentially hold liquid water.

The rocky planet is named Kepler 186f and is part of a five-planet system nestled in the Milky Way.

"We've been hunting for planets like Earth," Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at The Franklin Institute, told the BBC.

"This is the first time time we've ever found a planet that is so close to Earth's size," he added. "It greatly steps up the possibility of finding Earth-like planets much closer to us."