LOVE was in the air at the Dorchester Show as a knight in shining armour won the heart of his fair maiden.

Romantic Sam Wait surprised long-term girlfriend Josie Hart by donning full chain-mail and climbing on to a racehorse, before reading out a poetic proposal from a scroll.

Overwhelmed Josie burst into tears of joy and sobbed 'yes' as the 33-year-old businessman got down on one knee and presented her with a custom-made diamond and platinum ring.

Family and friends who were let in on the secret then toasted the Weymouth couple with champagne.

Josie, 28, who works in energy conservation, was working at the Dorchester Show in the Dorset County Council tent when Sam's two daughters from a previous marriage, Annie and Lucie, lured her into the honey trap by asking her to watch them ride ponies.

Sam's girlfriend of six years was expecting him to pop the question, but not in such flamboyant style.

She said: "I knew I was getting engaged, I just did not know when or how he was going to propose. I was just crying and I said yes, and now I am over the moon."

Sam said: "I needed a horse to complete the look so I thought the Dorchester Show would be a good time to do it."

The couple, who live in East Wyld Road, will tie the knot in Cyprus next August.