A HOPELESS romantic saw his engagement plans vanish into thin air after a balloon containing a £6,000 diamond ring was BLOWN AWAY.

Luckless Lefkos Hajji wanted to surprise girlfriend Leanne, 26 so he told a florist to put the sparkler inside a helium balloon.

But as he left the shop a gust pulled it from his hand and the balloon soared into the sky.

Lefkos, 28, said: I couldnt believe it.

I just watched as it went further and further into the air. I felt like such a plonker. It cost a fortune and I knew my girlfriend would kill me.

The floor fitter spent two hours chasing the balloon in his car but eventually gave up hope.

Lefkos, of Hackney, East London, said: I had been planning the proposal for ages.

I thought I would give Leanne a pin so I could literally pop the question.

But I had to tell her the story she went absolutely mad.

Now shes refusing to speak to me until I get her a new ring.

Florist Helen Savva, of Cockfosters, North London, who put the ring in the balloon, said: I thought he was taking a risk. I said, I hope you hold on to it.

Lefkos is still hoping the balloon turns up.

He said: It would be amazing if someone found it.

-- Edited by littlemisslinkz at 13:01, 2008-03-14