A POLICE constable from Worcester let the cat out of the bag in unusual circumstances when he took his girlfriend to the safari park.
Matt Harris, who works for West Mercia Police, and his partner Gemma Baldwin went to West Midlands Safari park, where he proposed to her with lions gazing through the plate glass windows at them.
Gemma, who loves cats of all shapes and sizes, was treated to the ‘Luxury VIP Experience’ as Matt worked hard with safari park staff to make it a day his new fiance wouldn’t forget.
“We’ve been together for nearly three years and the one thing that Gemma loves as much as me, if not more than, is big cats,” he said.
“West Midlands Safari Park have been unbelievably accommodating, helpful and kind in helping me organise our surprise day.
“The lion house was just breathtaking, being the other side of a glass wall with ten of Africa’s biggest and wildest cats was a dream come true for Gem and pretty frightening for me.
“I can’t thank the safari park enough for all they have done for me. It was truly one day Gemma and I will never forget.”
Angela Potter, deputy director of wildlife, said: “The couple arrived at 9.15am and were driven to the ‘Tiger Ridge’ to feed the tigers, before heading to the recently opened lion house.
“The table was set, champagne was on ice, lions gazing through the plate glass windows, ready for Matt to pop the all-important question.
“The happy couple then went on to feed the cheetah, grinning like Cheshire cats.”
