A Letchworth woman was hanging on every word before her now fiancé popped the question in his own novel way.

The Comet: Rachel Pipe showing off her engagement ring.Rachel Pipe showing off her engagement ring. (Image: Archant)

Raj Sahota plucked up the courage on Saturday to ask Rachel Pipe to marry him – after spelling it out with a game of Hangman.

The 30-year-old took Rachel to Jesus Green in Cambridge to propose, after a special trip their last year for her birthday surprise.

The couple first met in 2011 through Christchurch Baldock, but got to know each other better through a Bible study group in Letchworth two years later.

“I chose to propose to her with hangman because we’d had fun playing it a lot, and because I wanted to do something different,” said Raj, of Pasture Road in Letchworth.

“I’d been planning it for a few months, and the more I dwelled on the idea the more it made sense – and also the hangman letter slots worked out perfectly with eight spaces to fit in ‘MARRY ME’.

“It was the most nerve-racking game of hangman I’ve ever played! But thankfully she didn’t guess the phrase, which I revealed before getting down on one knee.”

Rachel, 27, who lives in Broadcroft, said: “I was quite surprised because Raj kept teasing me by saying he’d propose in about three to four years. I kind of knew he was teasing but still didn’t expect him to do it this soon. I thought it was sweet and lovely he asked the question with hangman.”

The couple haven’t set a wedding date, but are considering tying the knot in September next year.