One lucky bingo player got a little more than what was on the prize board during a during a trip to her local bingo club. In addition to winning twice in the game before, her partner got down on one knee and proposed in front of all her bingo fans.

Emma Wise, 36, was caught off guard, when her long-term partner, Steve Kalidoski, 43, popped the question at their local Flutters Bingo club in Rushden.

Mr Kalidoski, commented: “I think it went quite well – we have three young children together and we’re very happy in our relationship, so I wasn’t expecting her to say no. It was a bit spontaneous, I thought it would be a nice thing to do.”

The rest of the bingo players in the club sat in silence and waited for Miss Wise to say yes. Following the round of applause staff brought in the couple a bottle of Champagne and bouquet of flowers.

The couple grew up in Northamptonshire,with Mr Kalidoski residing in Rushden and Miss Wise nearby in Stanwick. While they both spent time living abroad they met for the first time having returned to the area.

Mr Kalidoski had a number of memories relating to the club.

He added: “I used to work here as a bingo caller part-time after school or in the evening about 25 years ago. When I was four years old I came to watch Bambi here but had to be escorted out after Bambi’s mother died – I was inconsolable.

“Our children are all under five so we’re not in the position where we can go and fly off somewhere romantic very easily.

“I thought doing it up the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building might have been a bit cliche.

“Before tonight we hadn’t gone to a game of bingo in about 10 years.”

Just prior to the marriage proposal, Miss Wise, was the winner of the two lines, winning £3 and the full house worth £10.

She added: “It’s a bit of a shock but I’d expect nothing less from Steve.

“The real highlight of the night for me was a line then a full house, though.”