DALE Connelly forked out a lot of dough to make his proposal to long-time girlfriend Catherine Scott one to remember.

Dale hired Southend Pier and got Pizza Express to send the couple’s favourite pizza to the spot to make the cheesy moment perfect for Catherine.

The groom-to-be, 23, spent weeks planning the surprise and proposed with a Haribo jelly ring.

But it almost went wrong for the couple, with Dale having to trick Catherine to the very end.

He said: “I had to make sure the photographer I had hired and the pizzas arrived before we did.

“She sat down on a bench at the end of the pier and I asked her to get up. She turned around and I got down on one knee with the table set up behind me by Pizza Express.”

Catherine said “yes” and the pair sat down to their favourite goats’ cheese pizza to celebrate.

Dale, from Colchester said: “I will always remember her face when I proposed. She had no idea.”

Dale chose Pizza Express because the couple are both big fans and is even considering asking the restaurant chain to cater the wedding.

Southend Pier was chosen because it was where the couple had their first holiday.

Catherine, 25, who is also from Colchester, said: “I can’t wait to marry him.”