A rugby-mad couple plan to seal their love match by getting hitched beneath the goalposts at their favourite club.

Police officer Olivia Crane, 23, has been playing since she could walk and introduced fianc Charles Garner, 28, to the sport three years ago.

The pair, of Ontario Gardens, Durrington, will wed at Hove Rugby Club on July 1.

Olivia's mother, Veronica Walker, said: "Olivia was brought up with most of her family playing for the club at one time or another.

"Olivia sadly retired due to a nasty injury but Charles and his best man play for the Fareham Heathens in Hampshire.

"All members of the family have never stopped supporting Hove Rugby Club."

The couple cannot be married on the pitch, so there will be the formality of a ceremony in Brighton Town Hall before a blessing is conducted at the rugby ground in front of 300 guests.

Several of the bride's female guests will form a line-out to catch the bouquet after the ceremony.

Olivia said: "I was going to kick it but I couldn't find anyone to sew lace on a pair of rugby boots.

"The rugby thing was always on the cards. I have loved it ever since I could pick up a ball.

"It will be a typical rugby outing - lots of food, drink and dancing, and probably some amateur rugby on the pitch."

Charles said: "I started playing three years ago after taking the mickey out of my mates who played.

"I told them it was a women's sport so they challenged me and I've loved it ever since.

"My mates think it's pretty cool. I don't know anyone else who has had our idea.

"They all think it will be fun but they're going to rib me a lot."

Charles, who is also head doorman at Brighton Marina's Karma Bar and training for the Territorial Army, proposed on one knee in Barbados in December last year.

Olivia added: "It was on Worthing Beach in Barbados.

"The people in the apartments facing on to the beach watched us and cheered. I burst into tears and there was a shooting star at that moment. It was amazing."

In the meantime, Olivia is busy organising a hen night at the Kiwis restaurant in Worthing, where she enjoys a good debate with the restaurant's owner - a New Zealand All Blacks fan.