How can you make the perfect proposal?

Getting down on one knee to ask your girlfriend to marry you is a moment neither of you will ever forget, so you must do everything possible to make it special.

New research conducted by Beaverbrooks the Jewellers has found the average woman now wants to be asked the question while on a romantic break that involves being presented with a ring worth more than £1,000.

Some 2,000 unmarried ladies were questioned by the firm, all of whom are hoping their other half will pop the question soon. A surprise weekend away in the UK was identified as the perfect opportunity to propose.

Interestingly, the majority of women do not want their parents to know about the engagement before they do, so the days of having to ask a father's permission are long gone. However, one tradition that remains is that you must go down on a bended knee and an engagement ring must already have been chosen.

Anna Blackburn, a spokeswoman for Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, said: "Women dream of their perfect proposal for years leading up to the main event. In fact, most girls know exactly what they want from a proposal, as they do the actual engagement ring and wedding day, long before they meet the man of their dreams.

"So if the proposal isn't well thought through and planned with the girl in mind, it won't be as special as their partner would like it to be."

Ms Blackburn explained choosing a ring that is not as special as a woman imagined it would be can be a major letdown and it is likely the band will have to go back to the shop. As such, it pays to splash the cash and find something really special.

Half of the females questioned said they want their proposal to be so romantic they are reduced to tears, while 19 per cent would like you to shed a tear as you ask for their hand in marriage.