Love is in the air - and water - at Brighton aquarium

Just before Valentine’s Day, Shane Rudman, 28, got down on one knee to pop the question to his childhood sweetheart Dionne Warren, 30, while they travelled over the aquarium’s 750,000 litre Ocean Tunnel.

A sign was displayed beneath them asking ‘Will you marry me?’. Happily for Shane, Dionne said yes.

Shane said: “It was perfect - just as I had hoped and planned. We have been together for 12 years and I know Dionne is ‘the one’ - I love her more with every passing day.

“When I decided to propose, I knew I wanted it to be at Sea Life Brighton. Dionne and I have a 600 litre tank of marine fish at home and we’ve been on many diving holidays together. It felt apt that we should be surrounded by the sea creatures we love as we shared such a special moment. I cannot thank the team at Sea Life Brighton enough for making this happen!”

Dionne said: “I had no idea! I thought it was going to be a romantic Valentine’s weekend date at one of our favourite places… When I saw Shane down on one knee it was an incredible moment - certainly one I will never forget. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life as Mrs Rudman.”

The couple, from Wallington in Surrey have been regulars at the aquarium for many years, so when the team got wind of Shane’s plans to propose, they pulled out all the stops.

Max Leviston, general manager of Sea Life Brighton, said: “Congratulations to Shane and Dionne! We are thrilled for them and delighted they chose our aquarium for their special moment.

“It is always wonderful to be part of a marriage proposal, so we do all we can to make engagements at Sea Life Brighton as special as possible. To date, we’ve not had any proposals end in a ‘no’ - there must be something in the water of our Ocean Tank!”

The aquarium is also offering 2 for 1 entry for couples on Valentine’s Day (February 14).

For more information, visit: www.sealife.co.uk/brighton