Scots scientists have helped prove a theory by Albert Einstein that could change the way we understand the universe.

Physicists announced on Thursday that they have been able to observe gravitational waves for the first time.

The discovery was made at labs in the US using technology developed at Glasgow University, Strathclyde University and University of the West of Scotland.

Their work could help scientists learn more about the early universe and provides the first direct evidence of black holes, cosmic bodies which have such powerful gravity even light is unable to escape them.

Physicists believe the waves detected last September were created when two black holes collided and became a single, massive black hole.

Professor Sheila Rowan, director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at Glasgow, said: "This is a monumental leap forward for physics and astrophysics – taking Einstein’s predictions and turning them into an entirely new way to sense some of the most fascinating objects in our universe.

"In the past, we've relied the information we collected from the electromagnetic spectrum to help learn more about the cosmos, from the other planets in our solar system to star systems millions of light years away."

Albert Einstein predicted gravitational waves more than 100 years ago in his General Theory of Relativity, but until now scientists were unable detect them.

Glasgow University physicists have been working to help prove the existence of gravitational waves for nearly 50 years.

It was their work developing a crucial part of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (Ligo) sensors at labs in Washington which helped crack the problem.

Professor James Hough, who is the longest-serving member of the Ligo team at Glasgow University, believes evidence of gravitational waves may have been detected there as early as the 1970s.

He said: "I was involved in building early gravitational wave detectors here in Glasgow, which monitored outputs from piezoelectric transducers attached to aluminium bars.

"We thought it would take us about a year to make an initial detection, and in 1972, we found what looked very much like evidence of gravitational waves. However, since no other detectors we operating at the same time, we weren't able to verify our observation.

"Nonetheless, that finding convinced me that we would one day find the evidence we were looking for.

"This discovery 43 years later is the culmination of my career in science. I'm immensely proud to have been involved in the project and I'm very excited to see the fascinating new discoveries gravitational wave astronomy will bring us in the future."