The moment a city councillor proposed to his colleague during a Town Hall meeting

A man brought romance onto the agenda during a meeting of Manchester City Council - by staging a dramatic proposal for his partner.

Sean McHale, who is councillor for Clayton and Openshaw, sent a ripple of romance round the chamber as the gathering drew to a close when he got down on one knee.

He's been with his girlfriend Donna Ludford - a fellow Labour councillor in the same ward - for more than two decades.

After the Lord Mayor, June Hitchen, had ordered councillors to stay in their seats for one final item of business, Cllr McHale unexpectedly jumped to his feet.

Striding around the outside of the chamber in front of 90 other councillors, he announced he was about to do something he "should have done 23 years ago".

The meeting could end on a high - as Cllr Ludford accepted the proposal.

They hope to marry next year.