A BUS driver showed he knew the route to his girlfriend’s heart by organising a surprise marriage proposal.

Darrell Smith conducted himself perfectly when he persuaded his employer Morebus to lend him a specially decorated vehicle to take to her parents’ home.

He wanted to pop the question to girlfriend Annie Edwards and decided to do it in front of a busload of well-wishers at Winfrith.

The bus took the would-be groom, family and friends to the Dorset village ready for his proposal.

Darrell said: “I couldn’t think of a better or more unique way to propose to Annie.

“I’ve been a driver with Morebus for two years and I made sure my double decker had a simple message emblazoned across the top deck – ‘Annie Edwards, will you marry me?’ “It certainly did the trick because we’re planning our wedding now."

Darrell had arranged for Annie to visit her parents in Winfrith because they had a big enough drive for him to park the double decker.

He said she was stunned when the bus turned up, with 12 family and friends on board to join those already at the house.

The pair, both 47, have a bungalow in Bovington.

Richard Wade, Morebus operations manager, added: “We were only too happy to lend Darrell one of our buses for the day.

“It’s a great idea - and I’d like to wish Darrell and his new fiancee many happy years together.”