fiancee -- from a parasail! The lady in question, Miss Esther New, let out a scream of surprise as Henry sailed through the air trailing a banner which read "Esther will you marry me?'' And she had no hesitation in responding when her brother, Mr. Nicholas New, handed her a huge "Yes'' on a sheet of cardboard.

A delighted Miss New had been sitting outside her hotel with 10 months old daughter Roxy, and Mr. New, watching her daredevil Dutchman parasail with Blue Hole Watersports in Castle Harbour yesterday.

The proposal banner did not unfurl until the perfect moment when it was right in front of Miss New.

Her brother handed her the reply card and she held up a great big "Yes.'' (The card also contained a negative). She said: "It was a complete shock. I was totally surprised.'' It had been a well kept secret since Christmas when Mr. De Vreede and Mr. New started planning the proposal at the couple's home in Holland.

Mr. New said, as he popped open the champagne: "Henry wanted to fly the banner from the back of a plane but I suggested we do this when they were on holiday in Bermuda.'' A soaking wet Mr. De Vreede said: "I naturally wanted to do it in style.'' The couple live close to The Hague in Holland, where they met two years ago.

Miss New was born in England but her family moved to Bermuda when she was 10 months old.

She stayed for 18 years before leaving to work in Holland where she has stayed and settled there over the last five years.

Mr. Alan Franklin, of Blue Hole Watersports, said: "It is the first time we have ever had a request for a proposal from one of our parasails.'' AFFIRMATIVE! Miss Esther New says a great big "Yes'' to her fiancee Mr. Henry De Vreede who proposed marriage on a banner trailing behind him as he parasailed past her on Castle Harbour yesterday.