A leap year baby who asked her man to marry her over the tannoy at a football match 16 years ago will tie the knot today.

After a long engagement Kay Dawkins and Melvin Garrett from Deal will finally make it official - on what is also Ms Dawkins' 14th (56th) birthday.

It's a day the Sainsbury's deli assistant has dreamt of since 2004 when, on impulse, she asked her Gillingham FC super-fan boyfriend to marry her via the public address system at Priestfield Stadium.

Shunning the usual private, romantic setting for a proposal, her matrimonial request came just four months after they'd starting dating and was heard by 10,388 people.

She said: "I have these moments.

"I was at home and just thought I'm going to do it.

"I called the stadium and they put the message out over their tannoy system.

"When he got home, he was stunned. But he said yes and then said, 'Well we better go out and buy a ring'."

Mr Garrett, 52, who met his fiancée at The Coach and Horses pub in Deal while on a Christmas works do with bathroom and plumbing firm TKM, said: "I was shocked. I did think it took some courage to do that.

"But she's crazy... mad as a box of frogs, and that's why I love her."

After 16 years together, the pair finally fixed a date last August and specially went for Ms Dawkins' birthday - a day which only comes round once every four years.

They will wed at Ramsgate Registrar Office at 12.30pm followed by a reception at Dunkerley's Hotel and Restaurant in Deal for 15 close family and friends.

The celebrations will continue with a party at the town's The Landmark Centre in the evening.

Ms Dawkins said: "We've been through a lot together and he's always been there for me.

"It's time to move forward. I'm really looking forward to it. So excited."

Ms Dawkins will be given away by her son Lloyd.

By their side will be matron of honour Rowena Hobbs and best man Trevor Smith.

Mr Garrett, a Gills season ticket holder for 47 years, added: "I'm even missing the game for her!"

Read more: All the latest news from Deal