IT WAS smiles and cheers all round when a Bicester soldier proposed to his girlfriend on the pitch at Oxford United Football Club.

Corporal Stuart Eason decided he couldn't wait until Valentine's Day and at half-time during Saturday's game against Histon he asked girlfield Nicola Barrett to marry him.

The 33-year-old, of 23 Pioneer Regiment in Bicester, led his partner to the penalty spot and proposed in front of 4,851 fans.

Although Ms Barrett looked a little surprised she couldn't wait to accept his offer and said yes straight away.

Corp Eason was just one of 300 soldiers from the Ambrosden-based regiment who have recently returned from a six-month tour of duty.

Soldiers were sent to Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq last year.

As the final whistle was blown, United fans also left the stadium with smiles on their faces as Oxford beat Histon 3-0.