The SAS is considering adapting its gruelling selection test to give women a better chance of succeeding, according to reports. The elite special forces unit is thought to be looking at plans to make one of its trademark recruitment exercises easier for female candidates to complete

Soldiers hoping to join the Special Air Service and its sister regiment, the Special Boat Service (SBS), currently have to pass an initial physical test, which involves carrying heavy rucksacks over a series of long marches across mountainous terrain.

But according to reports, the SAS is considering allowing female recruits to carry lighter loads and giving them more time to complete the test.

The suggestion comes after the government said it wanted to see all close combat units in the British military open to women by 2019.

It is felt that the marching tests are unfairly discriminating against women who may have the attributes needed to succeed as SAS soldiers.

But there is understood to be concern among current members of the SAS that any changes to the recruitment process could lead to a lowering of standards across the unit.

Soldiers from any unit in the British Army can apply to join the SAS and SBS, but traditionally has recruited heavily from the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines.