HE may not have Prince William’s money or title, but that didn’t stop Mark Foster from coming up with a proposal fit for a princess.

He sent girlfriend-ofsix- years Amy Purvis on a treasure hunt around their home town of Darlington, with clues leading her to pampering sessions, a leisurely lunch and a new dress.

Attached to each clue was a jigsaw piece, which formed a picture of Lumley Castle, in Chester-le- Street, with the note on the final piece reading: “Meet me here”.

At the castle, a trail of ribbons led her to a tree in the grounds, where Mr Foster was waiting to pop the question.

“I don’t think she knew what was going on until I actually asked the question,” said 26-year-old Mr Foster. “She loved it. She started crying and said ‘yes’ straight away.

“From an early age, she’s always loved castles.

I knew I had to do something special to propose – she said she wanted to be treated like a princess, so that’s what I tried to do.

“Amy is very special to me – she’s my best friend.

It was beautiful.”

Miss Purvis’ first clue arrived at the couple’s Haughton home on Friday morning attached to a bouquet of flowers, with the next clues sending her to visit her mother and her sister.

The third clue directed her to The Perfume Shop, in Darlington, where she used to work. Her clue was attached to an empty perfume bottle which Mr Foster had paid for her to fill with a perfume of her choice.

It was then on to Binns, where Mr Foster had chosen a French Connection dress, before she was treated to lunch with her mother and the couple’s two-year-old daughter Molly, at the Dolphin Centre cafe.

After lunch was a manicure and massage at Image beauty salon before she had her hair done at Tracy J’s.

After the proposal, the happy couple toasted their engagement with family and friends.

Miss Purvis, also 26, said: “I had no idea he was going to ask me to marry him. I have hinted for a lot of years and thought it was out of the question. I just thought he was doing something nice for me.

“He’s always been quite romantic.

“I did once joke he should jump out of a plane with a big ring, but he obviously went for a slightly safer option.

“But seriously, it could not have been more perfect – it was like something out of a film.

“I felt like a princess. It was the best day of my life.”