by Neill Barston

A Tesco shop may not be as popular as Paris or Venice as a place to pop the question, but that didn't stop amorous Keith Rogers.

The Tesco in Sheerness ground to a halt when Keith shocked shoppers by proposing to his long-time partner, Karen Stacey.

Though he’s more used to picking up groceries than a bride at the store, his unlikely actions had the desired effect as crowds quickly gathered round the couple.

The 59-year-old ceramic tiler said: “I have never seen Karen go so red as she did then. She looked quite shocked but she did say 'yes’.”

Dad-of-three Keith, of Sheerness, added: “We just did our usual shop and then went to the check-out and just before we were about to go I told her I had something to ask her.

“My inspiration for it came from the fact that when we first got together we were always in there virtually every day- she told me that I must love the place – so I just thought that it seemed like a good venue to propose.”

Still recovering from the shock, Karen said: “I was quite embarrassed, but he did get down on one knee for me. I really wasn’t expecting that in Tesco, it’s certainly original. He is quite romantic but he’s also mad.”

Keith says he’s looking forward to enjoying being part of an extended family, which includes his three children from his first marriage and Karen’s two children from her previous relationship.

His daughter Gemma said she was extremely pleased for her father’s marriage to 49-year old Karen, an administrator at the Sheppey Academy school.

Gemma said: “I am delighted for them. My dad is a really placid person, he can be a bit of a joker but he’s never done anything like this before.”

The couple are looking forward to getting married some time next year – but it’s unlikely to be down the aisle of a supermarket.