WHEN Danny McConville picked up the Evening Times on Valentine's Day, all he wanted was to check the football results.

But inside he found a match of a different kind - a proposal from Yvonne O'Rourke, his girlfriend of four years.

Yvonne used the excuse of this being a leap year to put an ad in our Valentine's special, asking for his hand.

She'd even set the time and date ... December in exotic Jamaica.

"I was flabbergasted!" says Danny, 50. "But I couldn't say no. I want to marry her."

Yvonne, 34, broke the centuries-old tradition of men proposing to women.

Next Friday, February 29, should see more of the same, as leap year is traditionally the time that women can pop the question.

This tradition is said to date from 5th century Ireland, and it's claimed that in 1288, Scotland passed a law permitting it.

According to legend, any man turning down a leap-year proposal faced being hit with a fine, the punishments' ranging from a kiss to paying for a silk dress.

Yvonne planned her move as a complete surprise. "He knew I had booked a holiday but he didn't know I had booked the wedding.

"I always buy the Evening Times and he asked for it to see the football results and had a quick flick through but didn't see it.

"I then took it with me to the restaurant on Valentine's night and he saw it - and then I gave him a box with the ring and the honeymoon tickets in. I just totally love him to bits."

The couple, from Garthamlock, will fly to the Caribbean on December 23 along with Yvonne's son Matthew, six. They'll marry on the beach on December 27.

Three other lovebirds also chose the Evening Times to propose including postman Robert Semple, 42, from Springboig, who asked girlfriend Karen White, 38, from Tollcross, to tie the knot.

But what do you think? Should more women propose? When it comes to popping the question, is it OK for a woman to ask to wed? KEVIN AUCOTE, 50, self-employed mechanic, City Centre: I have been married for 30 years and I proposed to my wife, although I wouldn't have a problem with a woman proposing. JAMIE MCILVANNEY, 16, student, Glasgow: I would be quite happy for a woman to propose as long as it was on February 29. On any other date it should be up to the guy to propose. MATTHEW BENNETT, 21, student, Mount Vernon: I don't think that there is anything really wrong with a woman proposing but I would rather be in control of it. MARTIN REYNOLDS, 21, student, Scotstoun: Proposing is more of a man's thing and although I don't see anything wrong with a woman proposing, I would be happier doing it. CAROLE GLOVER, 18, student, Glasgow: I would prefer a guy to propose to me as it is more traditional that way. PAMELA KETTINGS, 18, student, City Centre: I wouldn't have a problem proposing to a guy but I would prefer them to do it. ELIZABETH TONER, 64, retired, Hamilton: I actually got married on a leap year and I don't see a problem with a woman proposing to a man. ALEXANDER TONER, 66, retired, Hamilton: In this day and age I think that it would be OK for a woman to propose.