A ROMANTIC beachside proposal swept one lucky bride-to-be off her feet last week.

When Rob Gainfort took his partner Francesca Duncan for a trip to Lindsway Bay, the last thing she expected to see was a 40-metre picture of a superhero.

Created by sand artist Marc Treanor, the gigantic gesture - which read 'Fran, Batman is asking will you marry Rob?' - took Francesca completely by surprise.

"When I first saw it I was shocked," said Francesca, from Milford Haven.

"I wasn't expecting him to ask me to marry him at all.

"I started to get emotional and said yes straight away."

The 37-year-old said she had no idea what her partner was planning.

"I didn't have any idea that Rob was going to propose to me, I was getting ready to settle down for the evening, and Rob said the gentleman that does the sand drawings had been down at Lindsway, and asked if I wanted to go and have a look."

Rob, 42, said he wanted to propose in a "unique way that both myself and Fran can relate to".

"I came up with the idea because I have always had a love of Batman," he said.

"It took me two weeks to come up with the idea.

"I got in touch with Marc and we both came up with a plan."

Added the Dark Knight in shining armour: "I picked Lindsway beach because it was quiet and peaceful.

"The day was picked because the tide was right and the weather was good, but I was very nervous!"

The couple have set a date for May 2019, and Fran said the caped crusader may make an appearance on the big day.

"Rob has always loved Batman, and every time I see him I think of Rob," said Francesca.

"There might even be bits of him at the wedding."

Sand artist Marc, who spent three hours crafting the design, said: "It was lovely to be part of their special day and very sweet that Rob had managed to keep the whole thing secret right until the reveal on the cliff top."

To see more of Marc's work, search @sandcirclesuk on Facebook.