A hopeless romantic got the answer he wanted after proposing in amazing style during the Whitstable Regatta.

Chris Cocker, 27, pulled out all the stops by hiring a plane to tow a banner with the words: “Gemma: I love you, will you marry me?” on Sunday.

Crowds of people watched the spectacular show of love unfold with social media going crazy as people tried to find out who Gemma was.

Mr Cocker, who lives in St John’s Way in Rochester, had taken his girlfriend Gemma Sparrow, 26, to her favourite restaurant, the Whitstable Oyster Company, to celebrate their anniversary of being a couple.

“I just didn’t know how to propose,” he said.

“I spoke to a guy and he said he could get the banners sorted. I had to get her over to Whitstable though.

“Her favourite restaurant is the Oyster Company and it was around the time of our anniversary so I told her I was taking her out for a meal.”

The couple, who have been together for nine years, were put on a table by the window with, luckily, some binoculars attached to the wall.

“I got her to look into the binoculars,” said Mr Cocker.

“When the pilot was a few minutes away he let me know and when he came closer I took her outside and proposed on the decking.

“When she first saw the banner she didn’t know what it said. Then while she was looking I got down on one knee.

“As it came closer she could see what it said and started crying and said yes. Afterwards people were asking her if she was Gemma. They could see the emotion on her face.”

Mr Cocker said there was another girl called Gemma standing outside who, at one point, wondered whether her boyfriend was popping the question.

“I had to say ‘no it’s not, it’s her’,” said Mr Cocker.

The loved-up electrician had the engagement ring handmade to suit the style he knew his accountant girlfriend would like and had it sent over from America.

After the proposal the pair, who met at a friend’s party, headed home to celebrate with their families.

Mr Cocker said there were no immediate plans for a wedding but it would likely be in the next couple of years.

“If you know me and her you’ll know it will be all her decision,” he said.

Simon Moores, director of Airads, which towed the banner, said: “It was very windy on the day, we were lucky to be able to do it.”