A DANCE teacher has helped organise a stunning proposal for the parents of one of her pupils.

Kirsty Hudson, from Leigh, helped financial advisor Mark Jones pop the question to stunned physiotherapist Sarah Dyson, from Newton-le-Willows, at the Trafford Centre on Saturday.

After sitting down to lunch, Miss Dyson's partner Mark joined a 40-strong dancing flashmob, from the Rebecca Walton Dance Group and organised by Miss Hudson, in order to win her hand in marriage in front of their dining table at The Orient restaurant.

Set to Bruno Mars' Will You Marry Me?, 45-year-old Mark dropped down onto one knee at the crucial moment and popped the question in front of hundreds of amazed diners.

Sarah, aged 46, was initially gobsmacked - but recovered in time to accept the proposal.

Mark said: "I was made up when she said yes! It was such a fantastic day.

"We've both been married before so I wanted to do something to make it extra special. This is something spectacular that we can tell the grandchildren about.

"All the dancers were amazing - they danced for nearly five minutes and I joined in for over a minute. Sarah has always believed I can't dance, so I wanted to show her that her future husband can get on the dance floor with the best of them!"

He added: "I was a bit nervous about the timings and everyone being in the right place at the right time, but luckily, it all worked out exactly as planned."

Mark, who has a daughter Sophie, aged 16, chose the Trafford Centre for the romantic stunt as, being somewhere they would normally go, it made sense to spring the surprise there.

Sarah, whose son Jack, nine, is a member of the dance group, said: "I had no idea what was happening at first as all these dancers appeared - and then Mark suddenly jumped up and joined in brilliantly with the dance steps. I knew then that something was up."

The pair, who met on an online dating site, are planning to marry at the Wrightington Hotel near Wigan on September 26 followed by a honeymoon in Sorrento, Italy.

Miss Hudson, who choreographed her students for the event said: "This was such a joy to create and perform, knowing that this lovely couple will spend the rest of their lives together thanks to a little help from us! We couldn't think of a better way to mark Valentine's Day than to dance for love."

Rebecca Walton, dance group manager, said: "It was amazing for the students - they loved every minute of it, all the rehearsing. Dance teacher Kirsty Hudson was fantastic and put so much time and effort into choreographing and practising it."