MISS Forest of Dean Amy Brown had the surprise of her life during the semi-

finals of the Miss England competition.

Just before the results were announced at the contest in Leicester, where she was competing against 60 other hopefuls, the 22-year-old Cinderford woman was asked by her boyfriend of five years, Ben Jones, if she’d marry him.

The 23-year-old Littledean lad had been planning the proposal since Christmas.

Amy said: “I am still in shock.

“Before the results announcement I was called to the front to collect an award and then Mr England 2013 said he couldn’t give it to me and to turn around. Ben was holding a sash saying ‘Will you marry me?’ He got down on one knee and told me I make him so happy and the ‘last five years have been the best’. I cried and said ‘yes’. He’s been planning it with the Miss England director Angie Beasley for months and had even asked my dad.

“I seriously had no idea at all. He (Ben) hates planning things; he is a last-minute kind of person so it was extra special. My mum didn’t know either.

“All my family are over the moon especially my nan, Mavis, and it was even better that my family – who were over from Australia – could be a part of it.

“We hope to get married in 2018 if we can save enough money.

“The semi final was incredible. I had so much fun and the girls were beautiful. Unfortunately I did not make it to the final but I have a second chance this Saturday. It will be a Miss Popularity round and the winner goes directly to the final.”