An American man flew his Harry-Potter-loving girlfriend to England so he could propose at Surbiton train station.

But his plan was almost scuppered by weekend train cancellations.

Samuel Goetsch, 24, flew with his fiancée-to-be Stephanie Dodd, 25, all the way from Houston, Texas to propose in the station which has a pivotal scene in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

When he realised the trains weren’t running Mr Goetsch had to think of a reason to get the bus to the station or risk his carefully planned surprise falling apart.

Mr Goestch's father Stephen, who lives in Ashford, Surrey, attended the proposal.

He said: "My son wanted to ask Stephanie to marry him there because the scene in the movie is all about new beginnings.

"I don’t think he thought it would be a problem getting to the station but it didn’t go as smoothly as he thought.

Surrey Comet:

Scenes for the 2009 Harry Potter film were filmed way back in 2007

Nov 2007: Harry Potter film on location in Surbiton

"Stephanie had no idea so my son had to do some quick thinking working up a reason to get her to the station.

"He had to pretend he had some business in Surbiton and convince her to go with him."

Surrey Comet:

Harry Potter fan Stephanie Dodd showing off her engagement ring

The couple met while they were both studying abroad in Japan in 2011 and headed back to Texas the day after the proposal.

Mr Goetsch said: "They were actually in Japan at the time of the huge earthquake so I guess there are quite a few times in their relationship when things haven’t gone as smoothly as possible.

"This was Stephanie’s first visit to England and it’s great that it’s definitely one she will remember."

Other unusual engagements:
Runner drops to his knees at end of London Marathon to propose to girlfriend

Man carves wedding proposal into Halloween pumpkin

Marriage proposal on giant supermarket billboards

And when it goes wrong...

Man caught drink-driving after girlfriend rejected wedding proposal

Mr Goetsch brought a copy of the Harry Potter book with him to present to his fiancé along with the engagement ring. Caroline Landu was working at the station when the proposal took place.

She said: "It’s not something you see everyday so I got them to pose for a photo with the book. "I found out they were big Harry Potter fans so it is a romantic thing to do."

Surrey Comet:

Samuel Goetsch and Stephanie Dodd with a copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince