THE National Marine Aquarium helped a couple's Christmas wish come true on Christmas Eve, when one loved-up chap proposed to his partner.

Chris Jeffery, 26 from Launceston, devised the proposal with the help of the Aquarium team, to ask for his girlfriend's, Mel Hatch, 22, from Launceston, hand in marriage.

As the couple entered the 'Eddystone' exhibit on Wednesday afternoon, beady-eyed staff lowered a sign into the tank saying: 'Will you marry me?'

With other Aquarium-goers looking on, Mel said 'yes' — much to the relief of her now fiancée Chris.

Dr David Gibson, managing director at the National Marine Aquarium, said: "It was brilliant to be able to help Chris propose to his partner at the Aquarium — and doing it on Christmas Eve made it even more special.

"There was such a festive, happy atmosphere — the proposal really topped it off. We hope the happy couple have a wonderful future together."