HEREFORDSHIRE’s “last romantic” came up with a perfect proposal for his girlfriend 1,000ft above the Black Mountains.

Days before their 10th anniversary, Chris Knapton surprised Lisa Jenkins with a romantic plane ride over the couple’s home county. However, the surprise wasn’t over as the 29-year-olds headed towards the Welsh border.

When the four-seater aircraft banked over the “Cat’s Back,” written below them in 5m-long white lettering were the words “Lisa marry me?”

“It was a dream way of asking the question,” said Mr Knapton, who the Shobdon Aeroclub described as “the last romantic” when he let the pilot in on his plan. “Lisa hadn’t clicked, then she saw this white spot in the distance, and as we got closer she burst into tears of joy.”

But Mr Knapton’s perfect plans very nearly didn’t work out. Having booked the plane two months in advance, he woke on Saturday morning to cloud cover that would block the view to ground. Then around lunchtime, the sun came out. “It was a bit of divine intervention,” he added.

A marketing man, Mr Knapton confessed he always likes to “make a bit of a splash” when he does things.

Having spent much of his childhood in Longtown, he said he always wanted to incorporate the dramatic setting into his proposal.

After coming up with his plan, he recruited friends to help lay out the design, and make sure it stayed in place. The pair, who met while working at Tesco in Hereford, then told other friends and family at a party later that evening.

Mr Knapton said: “There were lots of oohs and aahs from the women – while I got scowls from their partners.”

The couple now intend to “enjoy their engagement” before planning the wedding – which, if the proposal is anything to go by, should be a pretty spectacular affair.