The keen photographer had told girlfriend Abigail Ding they were going to take some panoramic shots of the town.

What she didn't realise was that hidden in his camera bag was an engagement ring.

As they stood with the spectacular views spread out beneath them Eden's Project volunteer Robert, 23, pulled the ring from the bag, got down on one knee, and proposed.

Abigail, 22, was so shocked when she saw the ring that she started to cry.

She said: "I wasn't expecting it at all. I really didn't think he would do it so I was totally unaware.

"I did wonder why he had the keys to the church and I was thinking that we shouldn't even be in there."

The couple, who have been together for 20 months, met at a Christian festival called Soul Survivor, where they hit it off immediately.

They kept in touch and Abigail, who lives in Cambridge, decided to come to Sudbury to do a gap year as a volunteer with the Eden's Project.

She currently lives with a family in Foxearth while she volunteers but is due to finish at the end of July when she will move back to her home in Cambridge.

Robert, of Chaucer Estate, Sudbury, said: "We both knew that we wanted to get engaged before Abi finished here because as Christians we don't believe that we should live together until we are married.

"I remembered St Gregory's tower from the time that I went up there with my dad so I contacted the church and they said it should be fine.
"I met the Rev Gregory Webb and he gave me a set of keys to the church.

"We wouldn't have met at that festival if we weren't Christians so we honestly believe that God has brought us together.

The couple hope to host an engagement party next Sunday at the Eden's Project building in Gainsborough Street, Sudbury.

They intend to start saving for the wedding as soon as possible and want their special day to be held at Abigail's church in Cambridge.
ben.arnold@jpress.co.uk