This blushing bride-to-be was on top of the world after her boyfriend proposed while flying high over Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium.

Albion fan Ross Lawford popped the question to Melissa Freeman while the couple were soaring above the stadium in a private plane.

Now the happy pair plan to get married next May – but only after the football season has finished, of course.

Ross, a 32-year-old photographer from Bexhill, said: “We were supposed to be going to the Amex for a stadium tour but I just drove straight past and on to Shoreham Airport.

“Her face was a picture when she realised we’d be going up in a plane – but she still didn’t suspect what I was going to do.”

Once up in the sky, shocked Melissa was handed the controls as the plane glided towards the Amex.

And as Albion’s sparkling stadium passed below, the 29-year-old youth support worker felt a tap on her shoulder.

Ross said: “I asked her to turn around and asked her straight out.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t quite get down on one knee because I was wearing a seatbelt but she still said yes.

“I’m just glad the pilot took over the controls – and he was the first to congratulate us over the radio.”

Back on the ground, the couple called friends and family to tell them the news.

And the next day, they finally did go on the stadium tour and stayed to watch the Seagulls beat Burnley 2-0.

Ross said: “It was the perfect end to the perfect two days.”