A cash-strapped fireman was given the superstar treatment when he decided to propose.

Mark Fay, 32, from Hove, had booked a room at the Grosvenor Hotel in Park Lane, London, to mark the big occasion.

But when management heard of his plans to propose on bended knee to Sharon Crabbe, they upgraded him to the exclusive penthouse suite, which costs £1,000 a night and has been used by an array of stars, including actress Julia Roberts.

After accepting, his bride-to-be said: "It took my breath away. It was just the most romantic thing. I couldn't believe it. I said 'yes' and we cracked open a bottle of champagne."

Sharon, 26, a media sales executive with the Gatwick Life newspaper, said: "When they heard what he was going to do they upgraded us to their top-floor penthouse suite.

"It's normally reserved for stars like Julia Roberts and I felt just like her in my ballgown. Everybody knew except me."

The couple, of Hova Villas, had gone to London to attend the annual Firemen's Ball at the Connaught Rooms.

Mark, a member of Blue Watch in Crawley, asked Sharon's parents in Gloucestershire for permission to marry the week before.