AUSTRALIAN Paul Neill made a surprise 1,000 mile journey to Eastbourne Airbourne to propose in front of crowds of hundreds of thousands of people.

The 36-year-old took to the stage to propose to his girlfriend of eight years Emma Cox, from Eastbourne, who said ‘yes’ to the delight of airshow fans.

Mr Neill, the chief officer on a private yacht, travelled from Montenegro to join Miss Cox and their children Tia, 6, and Marco, 2, on the town’s beach to watch the Red Arrows on Saturday.

Emma said: “It was such a surprise. I wondered where Paul had gone and then he suddenly appeared on stage. It was such a special moment and it really hasn’t sunk in yet.”