LOVE was in the air as a young couple got engaged at a city centre National Trust property which opened up especially for them.

His Canadian girlfriend's love of the National Trust inspired Luke Butler's decision to propose at Greyfriars in Friar Street.

The 25-year-old decided the best opportunity to propose to Erin Marie Longworth was on a Sunday visit to the city centre while her parents Annie and Lee were over from Canada.

However, the Greyfriars property is not open to the public on Sundays but romantic staff needed very little persuading to allow Mr Butler to pop the question in their grounds.

Mr Butler, who lived in Worcester for 19 years before leaving to study at an American university, said: "Myself and Erin are members of the National Trust and she loves to travel and view sights of natural and historical importance.

"More importantly she collects the stamps for her National Trust passport - the lure used for the day.

"I had been to Greyfriars years ago and remember it was such a unique place.

"As we were coming up to Worcester to visit my family with Erin's parents that weekend, I started to make plans a month ago.

"My auntie Jacqueline Tingle and her partner Jon Fraser were kind enough to contact Beth, who manages the Greyfriars site, after I had set a basic plan.

"They were able to liaise with the National Trust and secure a window of opportunity for Sunday 24th.

"I can't thank Beth at the Greyfriars enough for the opportunity and appreciate the efforts that they went to, to secure something special for me given our enjoyment of National Trust."

As the couple arrived at the closed doors at Greyfriars, Mr Butler said he would knock to see if they would allow Miss Longworth to get a stamp for her National Trust passport.

A staff member said they had a photographer taking pictures but welcomed them in.

However, it was all one big ruse and once inside the beautiful gardens Mr Butler dropped to one knee and presented the ring made by Miss Longworth's cousin.

The photographer Laura Truby was in fact hired by Mr Butler who captured the moment.

"I had a wonderful speech planned out but all I know is that Erin didn't expect a thing and that threw me off.

"After she had looked around and smelled the flowers and pointed out everything there, I was shaking like a leaf.

"I turned her around and said "Now do you want to know why you are really here" and at that point she filled up with tears and I proposed.

"I can't thank everyone enough who was involved. It was a perfect day, perfect venue and the perfect city to propose. Even the weather was perfect."

The couple celebrated with family at the Diglis Hotel and are now busy making plans for the wedding.