First time buyer pops the question on moving day

Starry-eyed Steven Lewis surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal on the day they moved into their dream new home in Newport. The hopeless romantic had been searching for the perfect way to pop the question to his partner Angela Bird, 24, and decided there was no better time than the moment they stepped into the first house they have bought together at Redrow's Alexandra Gate, alongside the River Usk.

Leisure centre manager Steven, 27 even enlisted the help of Redrow's friendly staff who were only too happy to lay on champagne and help with the surprise.

He said: "Angela has always wanted me to propose to her in a castle but I wanted to surprise her. I spoke to the sales consultants at Redrow who agreed to pretend I was working late on the day we were due to pick up the keys. Instead, they brought Angela to the house by herself and she had no idea I was waiting inside ready to pop the question.

"One of my friends had made a castle shaped box for the ring and I got down on one knee surrounded by rose petals and red balloons and asked her to marry me."

Stunned Angela, a civil servant, of course said yes. "It was totally out of the blue," she said. "I had no idea what he was planning but it was really romantic. We're very happy in our new home and have settled in really well. Everyone at Redrow has been very helpful and it was lovely they could all be there for such a special occasion."

Steven and Angela, who plan to marry abroad, bought a two-bedroom Canterbury property at Redrow's waterside venture overlooking the River Usk.

Luly Brice, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (South Wales), said: "We would like to congratulate Steven and Angela on their engagement and are delighted they had such a happy time moving into their first home together.

"Steven and Angela are one of the many new residents at Alexandra Gate, who have found their ideal new home in the heart of this forward-thinking city, which is now enjoying the same sort of investment that has changed the fortunes of Cardiff and Swansea, and has a very bright future.

"Alexandra Gate has a wide-range of homes on offer, whether it is for a family, young professional, retired couple or first-time buyers. Redrow has had massive success in South Wales with each of our developments growing into an enviable community and we know that this will be a terrific place to live."

The new homes are part of a major facelift for the city and the first part of the wider regeneration plans for Old Town Dock. The surrounding area will also contain an office district, an 80-room hotel, a park and other facilities all set along the banks of the River Usk.

With the M4 motorway nearby providing easy access to other major towns and cities, including Cardiff and Bristol, the development is perfect for commuters working outside of Newport.

Properties at the development range from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom homes and are currently priced from £132,995 to £249,995.

To find out more log on to Redrow.co.uk.