Oldest primate fossil found in China

A mouse-sized fossil from China has provided remarkable new insights into the origin of primates.

At 55 million years old, it represents the earliest known member of this broad group of animals that includes humans.

Scientists have called the diminutive creature Archicebus, which roughly translates as "ancient monkey".

Dr Henry Gee, a senior editor at Nature magazine, explains the animal's importance to our science correspondent Pallab Ghosh.