There was only one way for Helen Robinson to truly celebrate leap year - by proposing to her boyfriend.

Helen Robinson, who met Mark Wilson through the pages of This Is Essex partner the Echo, popped the question by declaring her love in a national magazine.

But it was not plain sailing.

Helen, 39, of Pitseaville Grove, Vange, had to put Mark off from proposing to her on Valentine's Day - she was determined to do it herself to celebrate leap year.

Helen met Mark, 38, of The Drive, Rochford, after answering an ad in the Echo's Match Makers column two years ago.

But she decided to propose through the pages of the News of the World magazine.

She said: "In January there was a piece in the magazine asking women who were going to propose during the leap year to get in touch.

"I thought it would just be a small message like a classified advert but the magazine came round and interviewed me and took some photos."

She was told the article would be published on February 27 and she had to keep quiet for a month not to spoil the surprise.

Helen, who has a daughter Christine, 18, and a son Antony, 16, from a previous marriage, said she was really worried on Saturday night, the day before publication of her proposal.

She said: "I couldn't sleep and I made Mark get up really early to drive me to a shop to buy a copy of the News of the World. He wondered why I bought six but soon realised when he read what was inside. He was quite shocked but said yes."

Mark and Helen plan to marry next year. Helen said: "I would recommend meeting through Match Makers to anyone. It worked for us."

To wed next year - Helen Robinson and Mark Wilson are to marry after the leap year proposal

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