Every girl dreams of having her name in lights and for one lucky woman it came true when her boyfriend proposed using a famous cinema’s bill board.

Islington Gazette: Laura Hinks and Toby HicksLaura Hinks and Toby Hicks (Image: Archant)

Laura Hinks, 34, was treated to the star-studded proposal at Screen on the Green by Toby Hicks, her partner of three years, on Monday.

The pair then celebrated by drinking champagne with staff of the cinema in upper Street, Islington, before going for dinner.

Toby, 37, said: “First, I took her to the Sherlock Holmes exhibition, because the idea was that there would be a series of clues leading to the proposal. The first clue was having lunch at Mien Tay [Vietnamese restaurant in Shoredtich], where we first met and the second was going to the Tate Modern, where we had our first date.

“Finally we went to Upper Street, where we had our second date - but I guess she didn’t see what was coming.”

Laura had no idea what the day was leading up to and Toby had to work hard to persuade her that it would be a good idea to check what was on at the cinema before they went to one of their favourite restaurants, the Mercury, in Upper Street.

When Laura finally looked up at the canopy board, she was so surprised to see her name and Toby drop down to one knee that her first response was: “Is that for me?”

She said: “I was absolutely speechless and it really was the most amazing proposal I could have dreamt of.

“I always knew Toby was thoughtful but it did completely blow me away.

“The Christmas season has always been my favourite time of the year, but it will be particularly magical now.

“I think, probably, deep down, every girl dreams of a grand romantic gesture like that. It was the happiest moment of my life.”

Toby chose The Screen on the Green, Upper Street, as the venue for the grand gesture, because he and Laura, who live in Hackeny, shared a fondness for the independent cinema.

Yuna Lee, manager of the Screen on the green, said: “It was lovely to help Toby out with the proposal. It was so creative and that’s what I thought made it so romantic.”