A STOURBRIDGE bride-to-be's feet have hardly touched the ground since her romantic RAF pilot boyfriend popped the question while taking her on a flight over Kinver Edge where he'd lined up family and friends and a huge banner saying 'marry me?'

Adam Tibbetts, aged 36, was determined to give girlfriend Abigail Bennett a movie-esque proposal to remember and had been secretly plotting for several months how he would ask his sweetheart of five years to become his wife.

The RAF Flight Lieutenant, who is based at Brize Norton, first asked Abigail's parents John and Julie Bennett if he could take their daughter's hand in marriage and then set about gaining his civilian pilot's licence at RAF Cosford while Abigail, a student paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service, was working shifts.

Then on August 5, Adam sprung it on 23-year-old Abigail that he was taking her flying.

The couple flew in a Piper Warrior PA 28 over some of their favourite places including their home in Lutley Drive, Stourbridge. and Kinver Edge, where they first became a couple and where Adam had arranged for excited relatives to stand next to a 100-foot white banner with the big question stitched on in black material.

A delighted Abigail burst into tears when she saw the banner plus family members jumping and waving on the ground - just as Adam handed her an engagement ring.

But it wasn't until they flew over the banner for a second time that emotional Abigail finally said 'yes'.

And the surprises didn't end there. Adam later gifted his brunette bride-to-be with a pair of Sophia Webster designer shoes with a hint of blue - with 'wifey for lifey' written on the soles - for her to wear on their big day.

Abigail said afterwards: "I was completely overwhelmed with the thought and planning that made the proposal so unique and special. I had a hint that something special was going to happen that day, but I thought the proposal would happen in front of the family so when we arrived at RAF Cosford I felt convinced it wouldn't happen. But I was very excited for Adam to take me on a flight, something that we have never done before."

She said as Kinver Edge came into sight she could see the banner on the ground but couldn't make out what it said until they were directly overhead and she added: "Once I could read the banner I burst into tears as I felt so touched at such a romantic proposal. I still can't believe it. I've always known Adam would do a special proposal but he has excelled and I feel very lucky to have such a thoughtful and family-orientated future husband."

Adam said: “Abigail has always supported me and been such a good team mate over the past few years that I just wanted to give her the most special proposal I could muster. It took a lot of organisation and I can't thank enough everyone who helped me along the way.

"I was still unsure everything would work out even at the last minute as the weather was forecast to turn nasty and the Bennett family are notorious for always being late.

"The Bennetts, however, were miraculously early, the weather held out, and Abigail didn't suspect a thing and I was so happy that everything came together for me to ask her to marry me in the most special way possible. I can't explain how happy I felt when she said yes.

“Now we're really looking forward to planning our wedding and of course the rest of our lives together.”