LOVE was in the air when the River Dart provided the perfect backdrop for a wedding proposal.

Dartmouthian Tom Veals fixed up a banner on his family's boat asking his girlfriend, Becs Lewis, to marry him. The 32-year-old arrang­ed for the surprise sail-past while the couple sat on the embankment in the sunshine.

Becs screamed with delight when she saw the banner asking 'will you marry me?'

Tom then dropped to his knees in the customary manner – much to the delight of those walking on the front and waiting in the ferry queue.

There was much cheering and clapping and family and friends, who had been watching in anticipation from the Dartmouth Yacht Club, appeared with champagne to toast the happy couple.

Tom, who went to school in Dartmouth and now works for the computer giant Apple in Bristol, arranged for the banner to be flown from deck of the ketch Sagittaire, which belongs to his mum Dawne Harbord and step dad, Alister, as it made a leisurely pass along the waterfront. Mum said: 'Tom now lives in Gloucester but his heart remains in Dartmouth.

'We we all in on the surprise and were eagerly watching, hoping Becs would say "yes".'

Tom said: 'I was very nervous at the time and it had taken a lot of effort to get it all together but it was perfect.'

Becs is now pondering how she can incorporate the banner into her wedding dress!