As pregnant Steffi Scuffham sat down for a drink in the Shakespeare pub with her boyfriend Sam Ryman she could never have imagined how the next hour would unfold.

But as 27-year-old Sam was suddenly handed a bow and arrow and dragged off by friends, she had an idea her other half had been hatching a surprise.

What followed was a treasure trail of clues around the couple’s favourite spots in the city, ending with a nerve-jangling finale at the Westgate Towers.

Sam, who works at the Shakespeare, had meticulously planned the perfect proposal – and roped 30 friends in to help him pop the question.

He said: “Steffi was handed her first clue in an envelope sealed with a stamp, Game of Thrones style.

“Each clue led to a different place around the city which means something to us; where we first met, where Steffi graduated, where we celebrated our anniversary.

“I had been planning it for around two weeks, making sure the police knew what was going on, arranging with the Pound bar to make sure we had access to the towers, and getting friends and family involved.

“They dressed up as characters and waited at the different places to give Steffi the next clue.”

The couple often take part in Live Action Roleplaying – known as larping – and Mr Ryman decided to bring their fantasy hobby to the streets of Canterbury.

Draped in a cloak, University of Kent graduate Steffi was handed clues by Darth Vader and even found herself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

She said: “I had no idea what was going on.

“It seems like such a dream now. People were giving us such strange looks, especially when there were zombies and Darth Vader giving me my clues.

“It was amazing though. I think I’m still in shock. I had to get the ring altered slightly, but it feels real now I’ve got it on.

“All my friends have said it was so romantic and such an unusual way of proposing.”

Sam, who studied at Canterbury Christ Church University, says he was so nervous on the day that he developed a stutter.

But luckily he collected himself before getting down on one knee to propose to Steffi, who is due to give birth in June.

He said: “I only just managed to get my act together, but I’m so happy. I needed to do something unique for Steffi because she is a unique girl, and nothing else would have been special enough.”