A HIGH-FLYING plan to pop the question involved a pilot, hoteliers, and a perfectly-timed schedule.

Karen Heyes thought she was on a simple break with her boyfriend of five years, at the Stanley House Hotel and Spa, in Mellor.

The Bolton University student was completely unaware that a pilot over-head was bearing the message: “Karen, I love you, will you marry me?”

However, she had taken so long getting ready, boyfriend David Roberts had to tell the pilot to ‘circle’ until he could get her outside.

The 32-year-old had already put in place a very carefully timed plan, with numerous emails and texts to hotel staff, and the pilot, in order to line up the perfect moment.

The former Turton High School pupil had even arranged for a photographer to hide in the bushes to capture the event for eternity, in spite of torrential rain on the day.

However, as 37-year-old Karen, from Westhoughton, stepped outside, the plan came together perfectly. As the pilot from Blackpool firm Air Ads appeared, David grabbed his chance.

He said: “The sun came out for ten minutes and the plane flew over just at the right time. I got down on one knee and she made me the happiest man in the world and said ‘yes’.

“The staff at the hotel were brilliant and had arranged everything over e-mail. They were also incredibly patient while I rearr- anged it four times.

“They also brought us some champagne just after I proposed, and we are thinking of having our wedding reception there now.

“Because I love her so much, I wanted her to remember the day I proposed for the rest of her life.

“She was shocked, but excited.

“And it was a big task to get the plane at the right time.

“There was a lot of planning and countless emails, and a couple of late text messages to the aeroplane pilot to delay the plane to get Karen down to the correct position as she was too busy getting ready.

“I can’t wait to visit the spa for our anniversary and arrange a spa day for my bride-to-be.”

Karen, although shocked by the romantic proposal, immediately said ‘yes’, and is now looking forward to planning her wedding.