TRUE love reigned supreme at a music festival with an unexpected proposal.

Susan Shackleton was stunned when her partner Alan Winch went down on one knee as a plane flew by with a banner carrying the message “Soo, will you marry me?"

The couple had been enjoying the Love Supreme jazz festival in Glynde Place, near Lewes, on Sunday and Ms Shackleton had no idea what Mr Winch was planning.

She immediately said yes and the crowd erupted with cheers as the plane came back with message she had agreed.

The couple, from Hassocks, met on the Isle of Wight in 2008 and moved in together in 2011.

They had talked about getting married but had never made any plans.

Mr Winch, 51, said: "I wanted to propose somewhere that would be memorable and a place where we could come back every year.

“The festival seemed to be the ideal place.

“It took a lot of planning. There was a group of about 15 or 20 of us at the festival and it took some organising to make sure everyone was in the right place.”

At first Mr Winch was worried his plans would not work because of heavy rain on Sunday morning but fortunately the sun broke out just before the plane came past.

He said: “It was perfect. She was just so overwhelmed and when she said yes everyone started cheering. A brass band had just come along and started playing and it was just an amazing atmosphere.”

Ms Shacketon, 58, said: “I just can’t stop smiling. I had absolutely no idea at all.

“Everyone was telling me to look up at the sky and read what the plane was saying but at first I couldn't see it.

“Then I did and it sunk in.

“It was a wonderful moment and I will never forget it.

“Alan has always been great at surprises but I don’t think anything is ever going to beat this one.

“We are going to come back here every year and remember what happened.”

The couple are planning to marry in Tuscany next year.

Stars at the festival included Chaka Khan, Van Morrison and Lisa Stansfield.