Hawking: Mankind will one day colonise other planets - if aggression doesn't kill us first

Aggression should be weeded out from the human race as it "threatens to destroy us all", world-renowned physicist Prof Stephen Hawking has warned - while space travel could save the human race.

Hawking suggested that the future of mankind was dependent on space exploration, and predicted that one day humans would establish colonies on other planets.

The celebrity scientist made the comments while accompanying American visitor Adaeze Uyanwah around the Science Museum in London as part of a 'Guest of Honour' prize.

Adaeze, from California, won the tour after producing a blog and video describing her perfect day in the city.

During the visit, she asked Hawking what human shortcomings he would change, and what he would enhance, were it possible.

Human space exploration was like "life insurance" for humans, he added, and said it was vital that it continue.