A Burnham-on-Crouch resident who proposed to his pregnant girlfriend during last weekend's carnival has said he is "over the moon" after she said yes.

Alun Warren got down on one knee to surprise his girlfriend, Natalie Dempsey, in front of a busy crowd of carnivalgoers last Saturday (25 September) at the end of Burnham group Epic Dance's routine.

"Throughout the day, I kept checking my pocket to make sure that I still had the ring and even practiced the words and getting down on one knee," Alun said.

"Just before the big moment, I dove into the pub for some dutch courage.

"It all happened so quickly that Natalie didn't have any clue until the final moment when they separated us.

"I remember feeling extra nervous as it seemed like the number of people standing around us had doubled."

He added: "It all felt so surreal afterwards, and I was over the moon with her saying yes.

"We were both on a high for the rest of the day."

Alun, who has two daughters from a previous relationship, saved for three months before buying the engagement ring and asked for Natalie's dad's permission a week before the carnival.

He had initially planned to perform the Epic Dance routine with his daughters, too, but was "let off the hook" at the last minute.

"Epic Dance had agreed earlier that morning that they would teach my girls and I a dance routine to surprise Natalie with," he said.

"While walking around the carnival, I made out that the girls and I were going to a stall - in fact, the dance group pulled us aside to teach us a routine in their dance studio.

"I can't dance to save my life and I'm rather shy normally, so this was totally out of character for me.

"Luckily for me, the girls got a bit too nervous at the last minute to dance, so I was off the hook as I wanted to make sure they were comfortable too.

"So I went for it."

Alun met Natalie while they were working as chefs several years ago.

They moved to Burnham last year to start a family together, and have fallen in love with the town.

The couple are now expecting their first child together, and Natalie is studying to become a maths teacher while tutoring local children.

"Nat has been an amazing stepmum to my two girls, Skylar and Aurelia-Rose," chef Alun said.

"We're expecting our first son together on New Year's Eve."

The family were dressed as characters from the Addams Family on the day, as part of the carnival's fancy dress competition.

Alun spoke of his family's joy that Burnham was able to play such a special part in his and Natalie's engagement.

"I'm so grateful that the town was part of our special day," he said.

"With the funfair and the fireworks later in the evening, it made the most perfect day."