A BRIDE-TO BE was stunned when her boyfriend proposed to her with a huge piece of sand circle artwork on Mwnt beach.

Richard Grenfell, of Hertfordshire proposed to Emma Thomas, of Pontseli, near Abercych with the help of famous sand circle artist Marc Treanor, of Tenby.

A crowd gathered around and waited the three hours Marc spent creating the piece. Richard then got down on one knee to propose to Emma on the cliff tops above as Marc wrote out the words 'EMMA WILL YOU MARRY ME?'

“I could not believe it,” said Emma, a 27-year-old building surveyor.

“At first I did not realise it was for me, I was just so excited to see the design and then he started writing and Richard proposed.

“I had no idea it was coming but Richard had told close family and friends and they were there to see what happened after he had asked me in a quiet spot. Of course I said yes.”

Architect Richard, 26, got the idea after the couple had seen Marc’s work on Facebook and then when he featured on a Robson Green TV programme.

The sand circle is the dragon’s eye with a diamond in the centre representing Emma's Welsh heritage and their new engagement.

“The design was perfect and it is incredible that people can do such large scale things and not get it wonky – he just drew it out and filled it in,” added Emma.

“A lot of people on the beach just stayed around to watch and then one woman came up to thank me. They just enjoyed seeing it done and then waited until I turned up.”

The couple, who have been together for eight years and currently live in London, now plan to marry at Mwnt church in July next year.

“We are hoping to get Marc back for the wedding when he will do an even bigger piece of artwork and involve the guests,” added Emma.