As if the pressure of running the London Marathon wasn't enough for one man from Dolywern, he also decided to run with a ring in his pocket, ready to propose to his girlfriend at the finish line.

Gareth Bennett took part in the Virgin London Marathon, one of the hottest on record, and completed the 26.2 mile race in four hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds.

And at the end, rather than stretching out after the run, Gareth decided to get down on one knee and pop the question to his girlfriend of six years, Katie Williams.

"She was completely surprised," said Gareth, 24.

"She actually thought I'd collapsed.

"The idea came about around three or four months ago when I was training. I knew that all of our friends and family would be together at the end of the race, and I just thought it would be the perfect time.

"It's been a nightmare to keep a secret, and I was really stressed the night before – Katie kept asking why and obviously I couldn't tell her.

"I wanted the ring to do the marathon with me, so it was in my back pocket the whole time. I was absolutely petrified of losing it! I was checking my pockets the whole way round.

"We met at the Admiralty Arch near The Mall in London, where the marathon ends, when I asked Katie to marry me. There was a big crowd gathered around who all cheered and we popped champagne, it was amazing."

As well as gaining a fiancee, Gareth has also raised nearly £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

He decided to run the marathon after a number of his family members and friends have been affected by cancer in recent years, in particular his mum Jan.

Gareth presently lives in Wrexham where he works as a Nursing Technician at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and is presently studying as a Student Nurse. Gareth’s father Ralph has been helping him prepare having completed the London Marathon himself four times in 1985, 86, 89 and 91 twice coming in under the three hours barrier with a best time of two hours, 54 mins and 26 seconds.

Luckily Gareth has a few days off, leaving him time to rest and recover after the race.

To celebrate, Gareth and Katie's engagement, the couple went for dinner in The Shard with their best friends.

"I'm tired and in pain, but it's all worth it," Gareth continued.