AN IPSWICH couple are today celebrating the start of their engagement after a wedding proposal with a difference.Paul Mutimer took the unusual step of asking girlfriend Mary Duffell to marry him by way of an advert in the Valentine's Day messages of the Evening Star.

josh.warwick@eveningstar.co.uk>

AN IPSWICH couple are today celebrating the start of their engagement after a wedding proposal with a difference.

Paul Mutimer took the unusual step of asking girlfriend Mary Duffell to marry him by way of an advert in the Valentine's Day messages of the Evening Star.

His proposal read: "To Maz, will you marry me, love Paulo."

But it was not until late in the evening that Ms Duffell saw it.

Mr Mutimer, 34, explained: "I'm not very good with words and I thought it was a great way of getting my message across.

"We were going to the Salthouse Hotel for a meal and she hadn't seen the paper. So I ringed the advert, stuffed it down the back of my shirt and took it with me."

Ms Duffell, also 34, continued: "It was all quite bizarre because I knew we were going out for a nice meal but I had no expectations about this at all.

"After we had eaten a lovely meal, we stood outside looking over the docks and he suddenly started rooting around in his trousers. I thought – 'it's a bit cold for all that!'

"But he showed me the advert and I nearly cried. I said 'of course I will'.

"He even produced a lovely diamond engagement ring which fits like a glove."

Mr Mutimer, a driving instructor, and Ms Duffell, a paramedic, who live in Ashmere Grove, have been together for five years.

Ms Duffell said: "I have always said 'don't even bother to ask' because we have both been married before and I never thought we would again.

"But I'm really happy. We are hoping to get married by the end of the year. A Christmas wedding would be lovely."

Do you have a story of an unusual marriage proposal? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk