A Buckinghamshire couple who agreed to tie the knot in the basket of a hot air balloon have been congratulated by a champion balloonist.

James Richardson, of High Wycombe, popped the question to Michelle Hibbert on Monday having landed the couple an all expenses paid trip to Cuneo, Italy, through the UK’s largest passenger carrying balloon company Virgin Balloon Flights.

In the basket of the balloon above the snow-capped Italian Alps he finally plucked up the courage to ask and a delighted Michelle said yes without hesitation.

And champion balloonist Lindsay Muir, in Italy making an attempt on the world altitude record, said she was thrilled the couple had chosen the world’s most romantic form of aviation to make the ultimate commitment.

She said: “It’s marvellous they’ve decided to get engaged. They really are a wonderful couple. If only more men took James’ approach!”

James said: “I was really nervous about asking Michelle, but I was absolutely determined to do it. You can’t get much more romantic than a hot air balloon flight in Italy can you?”

Michelle added: “I was so shocked when James asked me, but I couldn’t be happier, it was such a romantic way to ask me to marry him – I know we’re going to be very happy together.”

Virgin has pledged £10 from every UK balloon flight sold on the back of Lindsay’s 34,000 foot attempt to Oxfam. The current record stands at a colossal 33,669 ft.