A West Cumbrian am dram society's musical director stole the show on Saturday night when he proposed to his leading lady on stage.

Mark Hazzard popped the question to Kim Fisher as the curtain fell on Workington and District Musical Society's production of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 on Saturday.

It is understood to be the second on-stage proposal in the Carnegie Theatre's history.

As the curtains closed following the show's final number, 24-year-old teacher Mark made a dash for the stage.

Kim, 26, who played Judy in the musical, was confused to find her boyfriend was not in the orchestra pit as she and fellow performers prepared to applaud the band's work.

Even as Mark began to speak, she had no idea what was to come.

Mark said: "I apologised for being out of breath and said I'd just run up the steps and with a name like Hazzard you have to be careful."

In front of an audience of about 200 people including relatives and close friends, Mark continued: "Twelve months ago I came to know a certain member of the cast.

"I came to know her, to love her. I can't imagine any day without her."

As a gobsmacked Kim tried to back out of the spotlight, Mark got down on one knee bearing a Vera Wang vintage-style engagement ring.

Kim, who works for Capita, said: "I could see all my friends were there and they all had their cameras in the air and I thought here we go.

"I started crying because I was so happy."

Lost for words, she could only nod as he asked for her hand in marriage.

As the whole theatre applauded, show director Keith Beattie appeared with champagne.

With the ring on her finger, Kim turned to hug Mark's stepbrother and fellow cast member Josh Pattison.

When she turned back round, her fiance had dashed back to the orchestra pit to conduct the exit music.

Mark admitted he was nervous before his big moment but only missed one minor cue while rehearsing his speech in his head.

The couple, who have been together for six months, had discussed marriage but Kim did not expect a proposal until 2017.

Mark thought the same until last week.

He said: "I was chatting to friends at school and they said it was a bit different planning a wedding if you're not engaged."

Mark ordered the ring last Monday, then made a frantic phone call on Tuesday to amend the order, realising he's requested the wrong size.

With the exception of Kim's mum Jackie, the society's wardrobe mistress, Keith was the only Wadams member who knew his plan.

Even when clues started to emerge, the penny did not drop for Kim.

She said: "He asked me on Saturday afternoon 'Do you think you're ready to be engaged?' I said 'Oh yeah'.

"It seems really obvious now. I can't believe it didn't click."

There were no post-show blues for the pair, who have been overwhelmed by good wishes from family, friends and people they don't even know, many of whom learned about the engagement via Wadams' Facebook page.

Kim said: "Work on Monday was a total blur. I'm on cloud nine."

The pair have already set their wedding date in August 2018.

They plan to marry at St Michael's Church in Workington, where Mark is the organist, followed by a reception at New House Farm, Lorton.

Mark is composing some of the music for the service.

Kim plans to travel in poignant style - in a 1977 Mini owned by her late father Barry.

She said: "I wouldn't go to the church any other way."

For now, Kim, who also performs with Workington Amateur Operatic Society, is enjoying the excitement of the proposal.

She said: "He stole the show.

"I stand on that stage a lot but that was the most amazing moment on it for me."