A MUSICIAN proposed to his girlfriend at the top of a vertical drop white-knuckle ride to symbolise their roller coaster relationship.

Ben Holgate popped the question to girlfriend of three years, Samantha Baines, at the top of Oblivion at Alton Towers.

Park officials allowed the happy couple early entry to the park under the pretense it was a 30th birthday treat for Ben, to coincide with Oblivion's 10th anniversary.

Ride operators stopped the carriage, carrying only the couple, of Padstow Way, Trentham, while Ben asked Samantha to be his wife.

Samantha, aged 29, who works at designer clothes store, Pockets, in Newcastle, said: "I didn't have any idea whatsoever. As far as I was concerned we were coming to Alton Towers for Ben's 30th birthday. I'd taken my travel sickness pills and was pleased that the weather was good.

"I'm still in total shock. I just can't believe how much planning must have gone into it."

Campaign manager at Vodafone, Ben, celebrates his 30th birthday on Monday.

Ben, who is also the drummer of local band Friends of Ken, said: "I was a little bit nervous. Sam has always been petrified of marriage. I told her about a year ago that she was the woman for me and I'd love to marry her. It scared the living hell out of her.

"But I said I was happy to wait and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I told her not to tell me when she was ready but to drop a hint.

"So, a while ago, we were out in town, she stopped to look at rings in a jewellers. "This was a massive step for her. Before she would have run a mile. And then I started planning the engagement.

"Now I've got a challenge on my hands trying to come up with a surprise for our anniversary every year."

The happy couple said they are now looking forward to planning their big day.

Samantha said: "Before I met Ben I was scared of commitment. But we have bought a house together which is the biggest commitment you can make.

"I know I want a summer wedding. Every girl wants the sun to be shining on their wedding day. We are both quite chilled out though and I don't think we'll have a big formal affair. We're not run-of the-mill and want to do something a bit different, like this has been.

"I can't wait to get on the phone and tell everyone.

"All I know is that I want to grow old and wrinkly with Ben."

Alton Towers PR executive, Carla Ballone, said: "This is the first time we have been approached to assist with a marriage proposal and I think all those involved have been almost as nervous as Ben.

"We are actually celebrating Oblivion's 10th birthday today, so Ben really did choose a fantastic day to propose.

"We arranged for the ride to be opened early to guarantee they could share their own shuttle alone together, plus we purposely stopped the ride just before the drop to add even more anticipation to the moment. Champagne on ice was waiting for them as they returned into the station. We're all delighted for them and wish them all the very best for their future together."