When it comes to throwing a party, this husband really knows how to go the extra mile.

Mark Muir transformed Nantyglo Rugby Club into an Egyptian paradise using three tons of sand, live camels and even built a pyramid to make his wife’s birthday wish come true.

It wasn’t just any birthday but his wife Sonia Muir’s 60th - and it wasn’t the first time he had pulled off the unexpected.

Her husband had spent months secretly planning the elaborate Egyptian experience.

Mark had surprised wife Sonia with the birthday bash
Sonia with her granddaughter
Sonia with her granddaughter

Mother-of-two Sonia, from Nantyglo in Blaenau Gwent, originally decided on the unusual party theme after being inspired by a past holiday to Egypt with her husband of 15 years.

He wanted to pull off the ultimate party to celebrate the anniversary of her overcoming a mystery illness they thought would take her life.

A decade ago, she lost stones of weight within weeks and feared she wouldn’t survive until Christmas.

Sonia said: “When I was asked what I wanted for my 50th I said I wanted to see Christmas.”

Then, he created a winter-themed party in August complete with fake snow.

Mark said: “We’re lucky that she was still with us, 10 years ago we were told she wouldn’t be there for Christmas.

“I couldn’t just have a normal party so I decided to get some sand together and make some pyramids.”

The 53-year-old revisited his party-planning skills using the help of friends and family to put his ideas into action.

Working on the decorations alongside his job, Mark carved a sphinx using bath stone and made a gold throne from an old chair to carry Sonia in.

Other highlights of the night included two live camels, a desert in the rugby club’s yard and hand-made Egyptian papyrus drawings from Sonia’s sister and niece.

Mark said: “I love her and that’s what she asked for so I did what I could to do something better than the last one.

“Just a normal 60th party wouldn’t have done. Everyone was shocked but if people know me I do my damnedest.”

Grandmother-of-one Sonia added: “Other than the invites I knew nothing. I didn’t know what to expect, it was all left to Mark.”

Arriving at the rugby club, Sonia was greeted by 100 guests in Egyptian costume and was made to take a tour of the grounds riding a camel.

From there she was carried in a golden throne into the clubhouse, decorated out to look like an Egyptian tomb.

She said: “It was as if I was entering onto a film set of Egypt. I cried, I screamed, I was in complete and utter shock.

“Mark was working flat out seven days a week so I knew there was something but I didn’t know what.

“He’s a man in a million and he brought Egypt to Nantyglo and to me.”

Mark and Sonia also thanked all their friends and family attending the night and all their work, with special help from friends Phil and Kevin and Sonia’s sister and niece Lynda and Kelly.