A LOVE-STRUCK shopper proposed to his sweetheart - over the public address system at their favourite York supermarket.

Dennis Burbridge was clapped and cheered by staff and customers after popping the question to his girlfriend, Elaine Forsyth, of Haxby, during their weekly visit to Asda at Monks Cross.

The 53-year-old, an engineer, who only met Elaine six weeks ago, secretly arranged the surprise with store managers because of her love of shopping.

He made excuses to go the toilet while she wandered down the food aisles, and then called her name over the public address system asking her to go to reception.

Once there Dennis made an emotional proposal speech, saying: "Elaine. To the rest of the people in this store and to the rest of the people in the world, you may be only one person. But to this specific one person you are the world. Will you marry me?"

Elaine, 47, an assembly technician, said: "He had been winding me up all week that he was going to do something, but I had no idea what.

"It was a bit embarrassing but I felt wonderful. Dennis means everything to me. We seem to spend a lot of time wandering around Asda."

Dennis said: "Elaine does a lot of shopping at Asda and has a few friends there.

"I wanted to get my point across over the Tannoy and embarrass the hell out of her! There were a few shocked faces at the check-out."

Asda events co-ordinator Rachel Laws, who presented the couple with champagne and flowers, said: "It was fantastic to be able to help something like this happen.

"We're thrilled that someone would choose our store to propose to their other half. This is the first time anyone has done this before."

Updated: 10:14 Monday, July 18, 2005