DICK Whittington wasn't the only one to have his fortune made by the time the curtain fell on the King George's Hall panto on Saturday.

Paul Throup may have had to overcome his own stage fright to go down on one knee to propose to girlfriend Samantha Edwards.

But the audience lifted the roof off the Blackburn venue when she said 'yes' - and hopefully ensured they live happily ever after.

The former Nelson and Colne College student had been plotting his fairytale engagement for months.

And actors taking part in this year's King George's production, Dick Whittington and his Cat, were thrilled to oblige.

Recalling the experience afterwards Mr Throup, from Burnley, who also attended Hameldon Community College, admitted he had "never been so terrified in his life" before his nerve-jangling turn under the spotlight.

He walked out after Capt Cyril Seasick (Taylor Murphy) had read out a series of birthday messages for youngsters in the stalls.

Moments later Miss Edwards was asked to join the pair before Mr Throup whipped out the ring.

He told her: "You are the best thing to ever happen to me.

"You make me the most happiest man in the world and I'm the luckiest man in the world.

"Before I met you knew I thought I would never find love but then I saw you and everything changed.

"Because I loved you from the first time I laid my eyes on you.

"You mean everything to me and I can't even begin to describe how much I love you. Will you marry me?"

And after a suitable pause, and a quick nudge from Capt Seasick, Miss Edwards, who is originally from the Derby area an assistant manager at Coral, said the magic word.

The Stageworks Worldwide panto, starring Jonathon Prestner as Dick, Alice Fitzwarren as Amy Jo Clough and Alexa Robinson as Fairy Bow Bells, runs at King George's until New Year's Eve.