A Poole couple are hoping for smooth sailing after an unusual marriage proposal on the high seas.

Businessman Max Walker popped the question to long-time girlfriend Rebecca Vowels with a giant message on the sail of his yacht Pavlova as the pair and their crew competed in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round-The-Island Race last weekend.

Paul Fenner of the Sigma 38 Association picks up the story.

He said: “Their Sigma 38 duly rounded the Needles, with Rebecca head down in the cockpit busily sorting out the guy and sheets.

“According to a crew member it was an agonising few minutes. The spinnaker duly went up with Max’s proposal of marriage emblazoned across it. The rest of the Sigma 38 crew were urging Rebecca to look up at the spinnaker, with crews from boats around them joining in, but the good lady was too busy giving the guy rope her undivided attention.

“Max was now hopping from foot to foot at the wheel, barely able to contain himself. Just when the tension became too much, Rebecca glanced skywards and the rest, as they say, is history.”

And to add to the excitement of the day Rebecca had her own news for Max. The couple, who already have a three-year-old daughter Italy, are expecting their second child.