Love was in the air - and in the garden - of a young Worcester couple as they picked up the keys to their new home.

Unsuspecting Hannah Jones was faced with a giant banner saying "Will you marry me?" in the garden of her new love nest in Whitbourne.

Partner Scott Dodds then dropped to one knee and pulled out an engagement ring before popping the question.

Miss Jones said: “It was such a shock – I didn’t expect it at all.

"I burst in to tears because I was so happy. I’m totally over the moon.”

Mr Dodds organised the banner in the garden and a dozen red roses hidden in the kitchen with Ardley Meadows developers Signature New Homes.

To celebrate the occasion, the company also treated the young couple to a meal at their favourite restaurant in nearby Worcester.

Mr Dodds, a sales manager for a phone company, and Miss Jones, who is due to start work as a secondary school history teacher in September, have been together for two years.

The 22-year-olds both studied history at college but only got to know each other through mutual friends after they left.

Mr Dodds said: "When I was planning the proposal, I honestly didn’t know how Hannah would react although I was pretty sure she’d say yes.

"But it’s lovely what Signature New Homes has done – I wasn’t expecting it at all.

"I’m so relieved it all went to plan and grateful to everyone that helped make it happen.

"We’re both very down-to-earth people and I wouldn’t call myself particularly romantic, but I have my moments – and I guess this was one of them."

Annette Baskett, assistant director of sales at Signature New Homes, said: “When Scott mentioned to one of our sales advisors that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend on the day they moved in, we were keen to do something to make it extra special.

“We were delighted to help out and it was such a lovely, romantic start to their new life in their new home.”