Mum's surprise proposal on favourite rollercoaster

A mum-of-two said a marriage proposal on her favourite rollercoaster ride had been "extra special".

Nicolle Henderson's fiance Derek Cowan popped the question on the Avalanche ride - a steel bobsled ride at Pleasure Beach Resort in Blackpool.

The couple, from Scotland, have been together for three years and the staff made sure they had the ride to themselves under the pretence that Derek, who is a mechanic, had been given permission to look at the ride's workings.

"I wasn't suspicious because Derek is really into knowing how things work," Nicolle said, "and I was thinking, 'this is standard something he would do'."

"We just love Blackpool and I'd suggested we went for the September weekend," Nicolle said.

"I didn't know he'd bought a ring and he thought it would be the perfect opportunity."

She said The Pleasure Beach was one of their favourite places.

"It's very nostalgic as we both went there as kids, so he decided that's where he was going to do it," she said.

"But he knows that I don't like a big fuss, I like a low-key fuss.

"So I wouldn't have coped that well if it had been in front of a big crowd."

Derek had contacted the amusement park to say he planned to propose and asked if the team could suggest a suitable spot.

"They said, 'why don't you propose on the Pepsi Max?'," Nicolle said.

"And he was like, 'oh, I don't know, that might be a bit much for her'.

"So then they suggested Avalanche, the ride there is so nice.

"It's my favourite ride and it's like a little alpine lodge inside and they said we'll open up for you a couple of hours early. You can have it for yourself."

The ride was the first rollercoaster she ever went on with her dad when she was about six and "just made the height limit".

She said it "holds a very special place in my heart", so it had been the perfect choice.

Nicolle said she got a huge surprise when Derek got down on one knee by the ride.

"I don't remember exactly what I said because I was so overwhelmed and then I tried to walk off because I got all embarrassed," Nicolle said.

But she did say "yes".

The 34-year-olds then went on the ride by themselves for "a couple of rides, which was really fun" and even got a photo on the ride whizzing past the camera and "showing off the ring".

They are hoping to get married within a year.

"We'll just enjoy being engaged for a little while," Nicolle said. "Get Christmas and everything out the way, and then think about starting to plan.

"We'll definitely come back to Blackpool for the hen and stag dos and knowing us we'll get married in Blackpool.

"And absolute credit to the Pleasure Beach staff - we can't thank them enough and everyone's comments on social media, celebrating with us. It's been absolutely lovely."

Andy Hygate, director of operations at the attraction, said: "When Derek approached us with the idea, we knew we wanted to help deliver a truly magical moment, fitting of the special day.

"I wish Derek and Nicolle a massive congratulations from the whole of Pleasure Beach Resort - here's to many more years and just as many rollercoasters!"

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