A WOMAN has declared her love by having a marriage proposal seared into a steak.

Joleen Williams asked Duncan Schofield to marry her at the Beefeater in Southcote Lane on February 29, a day famed for role reversal wedding proposals.

But instead of dropping down on one knee she chose to pop the question with the 10oz t-bone branded with the words 'will you marry me'.

Mr Schofield, a bricklayer, said yes.

Miss Williams, from Chertsey, Surrey, said: "I saw something about the deal on the internet and thought it would be quite a sweet thing to do.

“Duncan said it was a real shock and the nicest thing anyone has ever done for him.”

The aspiring support worker first met Mr Schofield four years ago when she was working behind a bar.

The 55-year-old came in for a drink after work one day and the attraction was instantaneous.

“He walked in, had a pint and I just knew I would marry him. It was like I had known him for ever,” said Joleen.

“It took us three years to get together though. We stalked each other for ages before I finally let him buy me a G&T.”

Despite making the declaration through a cut of beef Joleen is a pescatarian and decided to have the salmon.

“It was a t-bone steak but Duncan doesn't like them so he ordered a fillet to eat instead. I was going to take the t-bone home to give to my mum's dogs but in the end I forgot.

“Unfortunately, Duncan doesn't like onion rings so he didn't put it on. He has said that he's going to go up to Covent Garden to get me a proper diamond engagement ring,” the 37-year-old said.

“I thought there might be a backlash from his mates at work, but they've been really positive about it. I was worried they'd think I was a dominatrix.

“I just wanted to let him know how much I care about him.”

As well as the meaty steak, Mr Schofield also received crispfetti – a crinkle cut chip version of confetti – an onion engagement ring, two beers and a man sized box of tissues as part of the Beefeater's Leap Year Proposal Package.