Surprised Blackheath crowds saw a wedding ring with a difference this week after a circus performer proposed to his horse-riding girlfriend in the Big Top.

Aerial performer Salvatore tipped the wink to the Zippo's ringmaster on Thursday night that he would be going down on one knee to propose marriage to horse-trainer Summer during their performance on the heath.

News Shopper:

The pair have been together for three years, but Summer had no idea the moment was coming - and neither did the audience.

She said afterwards: "I'm so happy. He's such a lovely man. I wondered beforehand what Salvatore was up to - I saw him talking to Norman, the ringmaster, and it's not like him to whisper in corners.

 News Shopper:

News Shopper: "Although we're both performers, Salva is a very private person normally, so for him to propose in the circus ring in front of such a big audience and all the circus performers - that really means so much to me."

And her fiancé said: "Summer is the love of my life, and the circus will always be both our lives. I'm happy that Zippo's allowed me to propose in the finale of the show - and I'm even happier that Summer accepted.   I'm a very lucky man."