IN a landmark moment for the British Special Forces, the Ministry of Defence has announced that in 2019 SAS selection will be open to women for the very first time.

Now two Hampshire women will be making their way to the spectacular - but punishing Andes Mountain range - to test their mettle as part of a new TV series.

Julie Densham and Kat Paes from Southampton will be part of a group of tough recruits eager to make it through one of the most gruelling selection processes ever designed.

Julie, 33, decided to take on the challenge in memory of her grandfather.

She had always wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a Royal Marine - only to find out at 18 that women aren't allowed to apply.

She said: "“It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, I had no idea what to expect as you could never fully prepare for it. It was also one of the best things I have done in my life and taught me so much about myself, it was invaluable.”

And Kat Paes, 31, a civil service communications officer from Bitterne Park had always wanted to join the armed forces - but instead focused on combat training and competing in mixed martial arts.

Of the women in the series Kat said: "There were some very strong ladies in there who showed up most of the guys and definitely would give the average man a run for their money. It was a privilege to be amongst such amazing strong women, despite not really feeling on their same level!”

The two women will make their way - with 23 other men and women - to South America for Leading the way - the new six part series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

It is the longest and toughest course that the directing staff have ever designed, spanning eleven gruelling days, in a hostile and unforgiving winter warfare environment.

The recruits will eat, sleep and wash together – no allowances will be made for gender – as their mental and physical strength is tested to the limits.

Putting them through this punishing course will be Chief Instructor Ant Middleton and his staff Foxy, Ollie and Billy.

They’ve never worked with women on this course and have no idea how many will make the grade.

But they want to find out.

In the Special Forces world, no one is interested in equality for the sake of it.

All Ant and the DS want to know is can women, with no allowances or exceptions made, pass the course?

The DS and recruits will be based in an abandoned ex-military forward operating base in the brutal and spectacular Andes mountains, and will be tested to the extremes of winter warfare in the most deadly environment of them all.

They’ll face all the challenges of living and operating at high altitude, with a lack of oxygen, in freezing temperatures and unforgiving snow storms.

As the recruits progress through the course, they’ll be forced to confront surprising truths about themselves to discover their real characters.

And they will find out if they have what it takes to make it through this unique version of SAS selection.