Bus worker proposes on front of double decker

5:54pm Sunday 10th February 2008

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All aboard the Love Bus. Next stop, marriage.

When the humble number six bus turned into Boundary Road, Hove, on Saturday night, unsuspecting finance worker Wendy Moran had no idea it was carrying the most romantic message of her life.

She was on her way to dinner with boyfriend Rob Carron when she looked up and saw the bus carrying the message "WENDY Will you marry me?"

The lovestruck 40-year-old had just enough time to say "Yes" when her new fiance slipped a platinum and diamond ring onto her finger.

Ms Moran told The Argus: "He completely swept me off my feet. It knocked my socks off.

"It was wonderful and of course I said yes."

Mr Carron, also 40, is a supervisor at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company.

He used his inside contacts to arrange the proposal and catch Ms Moran off guard.

He said: "We were crossing the road from the pub to go to a restaurant.

"They phoned me to tell me where the bus was and changed the message as they came round the corner. I hid her behind a bus shelter and turned her around as it pulled up."

The pair were on a bus when they first met 27 years ago as pupils at Falmer High School in Moulsecoomb.

They have been firm friends since they were 13, but only got together 18 months ago. They now live together in Southwick.

They were on their way to meet other old schoolfriends for dinner at the Oriental Village restaurant when Mr Carron made his move.

Ms Moran said she had no notion of what he had in store.

She said: "I had hoped he would one day, but I had no idea he'd do it then. With Valentine's Day coming up, it's a special week."

Mr Carron, a supervisor at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said: "I'd never seen it done before. I thought it would be something that she wouldn't be expecting."

He admitted the pressure was starting to get to him as the big moment approached.

He said: "I was an absolute bag of nerves. I was very nervous that the bus would break down and all that. It was the longest day of my life."

Roger French, managing director of the bus company, gave his blessing to the proposal plan.

He said: "I'm relieved and delighted she said yes after all the effort Rob went to in arranging it. We were pleased to cooperate on this as a one-off.

"Rob is a great guy to have in our team and we wish them both the best of luck for the future."