SOMETHING fishy was going on at the National Marine Aquarium – a marriage proposal with a difference.

Not content with getting down on one knee, Dave Stevens took the plunge and with the help of staff and divers at the aquarium in Plymouth, proposed to his partner of seven years. In front of a shocked audience, the divers held up a sign saying 'Nicola, will you marry me?'.

Dave went down on one knee and said over a microphone "say yes, say yes" – and thankfully an astounded Nicola Sturgess did.

Onlookers, including family members, cheered and applauded as the couple sealed the engagement with a kiss and cuddle.

Dave, aged 28, a sales engineer, said: "I thought of all sorts of ideas. We came to the National Marine Aquarium two years ago so I contacted them and made arrangements from there.

"Just trying to keep it a secret and the ring hidden was hard as she is very suspicious. I'm definitely glad about the response."

The couple who live in Farnborough come on holiday to the South West with family every year and this year brought the new addition to the family, their seven-month-old son, Jake.

Nicola, a full time mum, aged 24, said: "I felt a bit sick to be honest, a good sick but embarrassed. We have been together for seven years and I didn't think he would ever do it to be honest. He's done well. I've been pointing out a few rings and this is a complete surprise. The fact that my family all knew made it more embarrassing."

"I must phone my Gran, she will be so happy," she added.

Dave and Nicola plan to get wed in a few years time as they plan to buy a bigger house before getting married.