The strawberries could be grown on the red planet

The strawberries from Faversham would be taken on the first manned mission to Mars to provide essential nutrients for astronauts on the two-year trip.

The two varieties have been chosen as they are ever-bearers, which means they take a long time to grow.

The fruits would then be cultivated on the red planet if the shuttle lands.

Will they still remember which way is up, will they be able to support themselves, will they grow squashy, squishy, tall, flat? Dr Mark Burchell, space scientist

Peter Vinson, who has cultivated the strawberries, said Nasa chose his fruits for one other reason.

Mr Vinson said: "These strawberries are used to growing in low light conditions which would be similar to the conditions in space."

Dr Mark Burchell , a space scientist at the University of Kent, said the strawberries may not be a gravity-free success.

Dr Burchell said: "On the moon, on mars the gravity will be less so one thing you want to know is, how will the plants adapt?

"Will they still remember which way is up, will they be able to support themselves, will they grow squashy, squishy, tall, flat?"

Nasa has said it could be another two or three decades before the first manned mission and the strawberries land on Mars but Peter Vincent said the fruit will be available in Kent throughout the summer.