Boyfriend has high hopes for helicopter proposal

Love was in the air for bride-to-be Katie Thornton when boyfriend Phillip Hodson popped the question.

Katie was swept off her feet by romantic Phillip who proposed to her in a helicopter hovering over the school where they first met - with 200 children spelling out "Marry me" on the playing field.

Phillip, 24, pulled out all the stops for childhood sweetheart Katie after asking his old teacher at Saddleworth School, near Oldham, Greater Manchester, for a big favour.

The couple, who met when they were just 14 and 15, now live in Grotton, near Oldham. Electrician Phillip managed to keep a lid on his big surprise, leaving Katie speechless at his romantic gesture.

Katie, 25, an event manager, said: "I was lost for words. I couldn't believe he had managed to keep it quiet. It is the most fantastic thing.

"I thought I was going to the moors for a pub lunch to celebrate our anniversary. Friends said they thought he was going to propose, but I laughed it off.

"On the big day I was blindfolded and driven to the moors. When we met the helicopter, I thought that was the big surprise and maybe we were going to a restaurant for dinner."

Katie added: "Then we started flying towards Saddleworth and Phillip pointed out the school. It looked like the kids were all playing football, but when the pilot flew round I saw they were spelling out 'Marry me' and I was speechless.

"Phillip knelt with a ring in his hand and I burst into tears, I was so happy."

Phillip said: "I had always had in my mind the idea of doing something on our 10th anniversary, and I came up with the idea about two months ago.

"My old rugby coach at Saddleworth had a word with the head, who was more than happy to help."

The couple have yet to set a date for the marriage, but there are tentative plans for a winter wedding in 2008.