A woman is celebrating after her decision to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, paid off.

Hospital support worker Megan Luckhurst, 24, from Maidstone, popped the question yesterday to Ben Hyland, also 24, whom she has dated since their school days together.

It is a tradition for women to be able to propose to their partners on February 29. Megan, who met Ben when they were both 14 and both attending Mascall School in Paddock Wood, has been planning the big day for months, but she managed to keep her plans secret from Ben.

She created a book brimming with pictures of the couple’s adventures, and on every page wrote a reason why she loved him.

Yesterday they went out for a meal at the Havet restaurant in Tunbridge Wells, where she presented him with the book, the last page reading: “Will you marry me?”

Ben, a delivery driver, said: "Gosh, I'm a bit emosh - but yes of course I will!"

Megan proposed using a sovereign ring belonging to Ben’s beloved granddad Bob, who died a week before Christmas.

This is the second-time lucky for the couple, from Senacre, as Ben got down on one knee five years ago on New Year’s Eve, and popped the question in front of a crowd.

Embarrassed, and unhappy with his public delivery, Megan said no at the time and banned him from asking again.

This time around, she has enjoyed planning the proposal.

She said: “I am very organised and I have liked doing it my own way.”

Reaction from family and friends, when she told them about her Leap Day plans to take the initiative herself, was mostly positive.

“My mum was a bit against it, " she said. "She’s quite old school and thought the man should do it, but once I explained it to her she understood.

"We have been through a lot over the 10 years like everyone. We have had so many obstacles, but he makes me smile every single day.”

They have yet to set a date for the wedding.

For more quirky and unusual stories, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone