A VALENTINE'S day proposal on the pages of the Evening Star may not be the traditional way to pop the question but for one Ipswich man it proved a success.

A VALENTINE'S day proposal on the pages of the Evening Star may not be the traditional way to pop the question but for one Ipswich man it proved a success.

Jay Perkins decided to do "something special" and instead of getting down on one knee, he posted an ad asking girlfriend Clair Read to be his wife.

Clair said yes and the Chantry couple are now planning a summer wedding in the Seychelles.

Jay said: "It's going to be a quick one, we will probably get married in June.

"I don't think anyone will be coming we'll have another do when we get back."

The day nearly didn't go to plan for the 26-year old dock worker because his future missus almost missed the message.

Jay added: "She didn't see until her mum rang up to tell her there was something in the paper for her.

"We went out and bought a paper and she smiled and laughed.

"We had a bottle of champagne to celebrate."

"She was expecting it and we had been talking about getting married for a while but I wanted to do something special."

The couple met nearly two years ago at Chicago's in Upper Brook Street. Clair already knew of Jay but he didn't know her.

He added: "I moved in almost straight away - I just sort of stayed round."

The couple now live in Sheldrake Drive with their eight-month-old son Morgan and Clair's children Liam, Bethany and Ellie Mae.

And the 31-year-old mum has had little trouble explaining the situation to the children.

Jay added: "Clair has told them I'm going to be their step-dad but they don't say a lot. They are used to me."

In fact no one has said much about the couple's betrothal.

Jay said: "I don't know if anyone saw the message, no-one has said anything."

CLAIR READ

You're my

friend, you're

my lover,

together forever

(Will you

marry me) x?

Jay Perkins