Zagreb - An infatuated Croatian youth arranged 400 candles in a park in a huge, bright message of love to his girlfriend before authorities snuffed them, the 24sata daily reported Friday.

"Ivana, I love you," pronounced the message, which appeared to float Thursday night in the darkness, with Zagreb's high-rise buildings in the background.

"It wasn't easy. It took us more than two hours to line up the candles and keep them alight," said the author, identified only by his first name, Domagoj.

"When we were close to finishing it, I went to pick Ivana up."

He said he wanted to mark the first anniversary of his relationship with Ivana. She was overwhelmed, he said, and declared that she loved him, too.

The romantic moment was interrupted when police arrived and, despite showing sympathy for the feat, ordered the candles extinguished, 24sata said.

Domagoj's message can be seen at www.24sata.hr. (dpa)