The stunning vista of Rochester was the backdrop for a young couple's enchanting engagement.

Joel Shopland and Joanna Hay got the rare opportunity to go on the roof of Rochester Cathedral on Saturday, February 23.

But Joanna was in for the shock of her life when her boyfriend Joel got down on one knee.

The couple met through their church whilst studying at Brunel University in West London four years ago.

Joanna was studying to become a phisotherapist, which she now does in clinics throughout the Towns, whilst Joel, from Marston Close, Walderslade, was studying sports science.

Joel, 26, said: "Before, we got together, God spoke to me about Joanna, saying we would be together, but she wasn't feeling it at the time.

"I was praying about it, and Joanna ended up relocating to a job in Medway, so you can imagine how I was feeling about it! I was freaking out!"

Then, a chance encounter at Rochester train station changed everything.

"One day, I was on a train coming back from London and one of my friends WhatsApped me saying, 'How's it going with Joanna?', and I said 'I can't be asked with this anymore, unless something miraculous happens, I am done with this'.

"Two minutes later, Joanna was standing at the platform, and I got out where she was standing.

"It was a bit awkward and I was like, what's going on?!"

They got together in August 2018, which was also significant to Joel.

"In August 2017, I was praying about it and God said really clearly that something would happen in August.

"A year later, Joana messaged me saying that she wanted to pursue something with me."

Joanna, 25, who is originally from Basingstoke but now lives in Imperial Road, Gillingham, said that Joel had invited her to the cathedral pretending that his father was meeting someone from the Diocese, and asked if she wanted to come along.

The couple and their parents were greated by Rochester Catherdral staff Colin Tolhurst, who said he needed to check the fire alarms were working up on the roof and asked Joel and Joanna if they would like to join him, and that he would give them a tour.

"We were having the tour, and Joel said, 'There's a reason why I invited you up here'.

"Then he read out this letter from year back, it was from a Christian lady who got a message from God about her future partner, then get got down on one knee and proposed!

"He then said, 'Look over there' and my dad and his mum were in the windows of Rochester Catle taking photos and waving, and my sister and husband were also on the ramp leading up to the castle."

"I had no idea. I went to get my car washed before hand not realising this was messing up all the plans!"

The couple are planning on getting married at Joanna's family church in Hampshire in August, in keeping with the month being significant to them.