FORGET a quiet life by the seaside - this adventurous student could soon be on a one-way mission to Mars.

Zaskia Antel, 20, from Hove, is one of seven UK-based hopefuls aiming to become the first humans to step on the red planet.

The private trip is part of the Mars One Project, which plans to set up a permanent human settlement on the planet as soon as 2024.

More than 200,000 people applied for the mission. Organisers estimate it will cost $6 billion to fund and have said it will be filmed for a reality television series.

Zaskia and 99 others from across the globe have been shortlisted for the trip.

The international relations and anthropology student, said: “It is very exciting. I applied about two years ago and found out over the new year that I had been shortlisted.

“We had to do a long application and an interview initially. Now we will do other tests that test how we manage stress and so on.

“I've never had had a particular interest in space or the universe, I just thought it sounded like an adventure.”

Zaskia said her mother cried when she told her the news, but is adamant she wants to “give something back to humanity”.

She said: “I'm always wanting to do things to give something back. To my family, or in this case if I can help humanity with research.”

Zaskia and her fellow candidates were selected from a pool of 660 after taking part in online interviews with the mission's chief medical officer, Norbert Kraft.

They were tested on their understanding of the risks involved, team spirit and motivation to be part of the expedition.

The student admitted she “probably wouldn't” miss Earth too much, but would like to take one special item to the Red Planet with her.

She said: “If I could take only one item I think it would be my cat Elizabeth. I'm not sure she would like the journey though.”

Dutch entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp, co-founder of Mars One, said: ''The large cut in candidates is an important step towards finding out who has the right stuff to go to Mars.

“These aspiring Martians provide the world with a glimpse into who the modern day explorers will be.''