Published: 14 Mar 2008-U.K. Sun-By Alex West

 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 couldn’t 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.

 

Vanished … ring like one Lefkos lost

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 she’s 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.”