HE had been planning to pop the question for months and wanted to do something different.

And Francisco Jesus, 25, certainly made sure it was an unforgettable moment when he proposed to girlfriend Ana Cruz, 26, in front of a crowd at Oxford’s Castle Quarter on Saturday.

The romantic planned a whole series of events starting with a flash mob by Oxford urban dance group Raw Diva.

Unbeknown to Miss Cruz, who works at the Bear Necessities Nursery in Weston-on-the-Green, the performance was the start of the proposal and her husband-to-be then leapt in to join them.

Oxford Mail:

  • Francisco gets ready to propose

Mr Jesus, who works at Elsevier publishing firm in Kidlington, danced to Marry You by Bruno Mars before unveiling a banner saying ‘Will you marry me?’ and bending down on one knee.

But that wasn’t the end of the surprises as shocked onlookers awaited to see Miss Cruz’s reaction.

Her friend Charlene Tharby had brought along the couple’s pet rabbit Fatush – who had the engagement ring on its collar.

Much to the delight of Mr Jesus, and the gathered crowd, Miss Cruz said yes.

Oxford Mail:

  • Ana is taken aback by the surprise announcement

She said: “It was a good kind of shock, I couldn’t stop crying. I thought that if he proposed it would be something simple, like in a restaurant.

“I’ll have to rewatch the video, as I was so surprised I can’t really remember it.”

The couple, both from Portugal, met in 2005 when they were both working at a children’s camp in the country, before settling in Oxford.

Mr Jesus said: “I remember she was very pretty and I liked her personality because she was very friendly.”

After the proposal they were presented with a glass of Champagne each from staff at the nearby hotel Malmaison.

Oxford Mail:

  • Ana finds her ring

They hope to tie the knot next year and Mr Jesus said: “I wanted to do something different for Ana in the best place possible when I asked her to marry me so I decided to do a flash mob.

Oxford Mail:

  • It’s a yes!

“Ana did not realise I was involved until Marry You came on and I jumped in. I was very relieved when she said yes.”

  • Mr Jesus said a video of the proposal will be available to watch on his YouTube channel, 4xikinho4, on March 2.