Pair's festive engagement under 'Mr Zippy' Santa goes viral

A woman has said she froze in shock at her boyfriend's romantic proposal under the giant Father Christmas at Manchester's Christmas Markets.

When Charlotte Busby, 36, of Wrexham, set off for a festive day out with boyfriend Matthew Gavan, also 36, she had no idea he would be getting down on one knee - in front of a giant, brightly lit Father Christmas known as Mr Zippy.

"He definitely knew me well to know to do something Christmas-related, I just wasn't expecting it this Christmas," she laughed, adding "I just froze".

It has been a whirlwind few months for the couple, who met on social media four months ago. "I've never felt as excited for Christmas as I do now," she told BBC Radio Manchester.

Ms Busby said she was totally shocked when boyfriend Mr Gavan got down on one knee on Saturday. "I just thought we were going to have our photo taken under Father Christmas," she said.

"But then I just froze - and I could see him looking, as if to say 'answer me'," she said.

"So obviously I said yes."

She said the rest of the moment was all a blur. "I'm just so so grateful that people filmed it and took photos because it was just absolutely mental."

Mr Gavan said he could see by her reaction that she was shocked.

"I went to Charlotte's mum and dad's on the Wednesday and asked for permission off her dad," he said. "Luckily, he said yes.

"And, obviously, then it was just the plan of what to do on Saturday.

"I knew Charlotte loved Christmas, so I thought, 'What better place to do it than the Christmas markets?'"

Charlotte said it was her dream proposal - in a city she loved, at her favourite time of year.

"He knows how much I love Christmas," she said. "And it definitely brings my inner child out - my children say I get more excited than them," she said.

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