A butcher surprised his wife-to-be with an underwater proposal in a shark-filled tunnel of love.

Ashley Sproston took Emma Moore for what she thought was an ordinary trip to the seaside culminating in a visit to the Sea Life Centre, in Great Yarmouth.

But the 28-year-old, from Thetford, had plotted with staff for three weeks to surprise his girlfriend of just over two years.

After waiting for visitors to clear the tunnel, the couple were given a personal talk all about the sharks and turtles in the tank.

But the tactic was just a ruse and unsuspecting Emma, from Carbrooke, was then asked to examine a fake mermaid’s purse from which she retrieved a sparkling diamond ring.

Surrounded by thousands of tropical fish and circling sharks Ashley then got down on one knee and popped the question.

Meanwhile, two divers inside the 250,000 litre tank held up a sign saying ‘Emma will you marry me?’

Overcome with emotion, the 23-year-old immediately said yes, triggering applause from visitors who had gathered nearby.

“It is just amazing,” she said. “I did not think he could do all this, especially without me knowing.

“I did not have a clue, but he did keep disappearing and I was wondering where. He can stop shaking now and enjoy the rest of the day in the sunshine.”

Ashley, who works for Tesco in Swaffham, said he was relieved all had gone well.

“I was going to do it on the London Eye,” he said.

“But I could not really afford it. So I thought the next best place would be here because it has happy memories of our first family day out.”

The couple hope to marry in the next two years.