CLAUDIA SCHIFFER - SCHIFFER'S HUSBAND PROPOSED WITH TORTOISE

Supermodel CLAUDIA SCHIFFER realised she had found true love with husband MATTHEW VAUGHAN when she gratefully accepted a tortoise instead of an engagement ring on the night he proposed.

The statuesque beauty was so thrilled Vaughn wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, she didn't care about the eccentricity behind the strange bestowal.

Schiffer, who has two children with the British film-maker, instantaneously knew Vaughn was the man for her when they met at a dinner party.

She says, "He completely swept me off my feet, we are so similar in so many ways.

"It really was love at first sight. I have the right man, I'm going to have kids right away, let's not waste time."