The RNLI came to the rescue of a romantic crew member to help in an elaborate proposal to his girlfriend.

Aaron Rix, 30, enlisted the help of fellow volunteers in the lifeboat service during his 30th birthday celebrations to get his partner Katie Fisher on board with his marriage proposal.

A banner saying "Will you marry me Katie Fisher" was carried on board the lifeboat as it sailed up the river next to the restaurant they were in that evening.

Katie, who was ’in shock’ after he popped the question, accepted his hand in marriage.

The whole event took place at the Sardine Factory restaurant, located on the Quay in West Looe, Cornwall, where the couple had met up with their respective families for a birthday celebration meal.

Aaron, unbeknown to Katie, had arranged for his crewmates to deliver his marriage proposal by lifeboat.

The quayside restaurant overlooks the river - allowing the charity’s ’Atlantic 85 Roy Snewin’ team to come right alongside, escorted by the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith.

Looking out of the window, Katie watched as the crew unfurled a banner to pop the question “Will you marry me? Katie Fisher”.

After getting down on one knee to propose, Aaron took Katie down onto the quay to be greeted by cheers from their families and our crew.

Aaron said: “It took a lot of planning and keeping it a secret from Katie.

"Everything slotted into place – because it was my 30th birthday celebrations Katie was not expecting this – our inshore lifeboats were afloat training, the tide was right and the weather was perfect.

"Katie was looking out the window, and when she turned around, there I was down on one knee asking her to marry me, and thankfully she said yes!

"One challenge I had was getting Katie to sit in the right place at the table without giving the game away".

A birthday to remember. Aaron said he chose his birthday to propose as it was "the only day she wouldn’t expect it".