'Love ma man!' Perrie Edwards poses for cosy snap with boyfriend Zayn Malik as he treats her to surprise romantic getaway for her 22nd birthday

They've weathered a stormy 2015 as a couple, but Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik appeared stronger than ever as they celebrated the Little Mix star's 22nd birthday.

The former One Direction heartthrob, who quit the band in March, has whisked his girlfriend away for a romantic weekend to mark her milestone.

And it looks like the 22-year-old's plan has worked, as his fiancée excitedly kept her fans updated with a number of pictures on Instagram, which thank her beau for his efforts.

Strong: Zerrie appear stronger than ever as they celebrated the Little Mix star's 22nd birthday

Strong: Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik appear stronger than ever as they celebrated the Little Mix star's 22nd birthday

One intimate picture, with the caption 'love ma man', showed the lovebirds cuddling up in a car together on Saturday.

While Zayn opted for a colourful jumper, the DNA singer looked stunning in a black top. 

A different image showed Perrie sat at a beautiful dinner table covered in roses while she awaited food.

Speaking to KISS FM backstage before the weekend, Perrie revealed she knew about the surprise plans.

Surprise: One of the Instagram snaps showed Perrie sat at a beautiful dinner table covered in roses while she awaited food

Surprise: One of the Instagram snaps showed Perrie sat at a beautiful dinner table covered in roses while she awaited food

Close knit: The former One Direction heartthrob, who quit the band in March, appears to have pulled out all the stops for the romantic weekend

Close knit: The former One Direction heartthrob, who quit the band in March, appears to have pulled out all the stops for the romantic weekend

She said: 'Zayn has a big surprise for me for my birthday. He’s sent me my outfit, he sent me my shoes and he’s sending a car so it’s all pretty exciting.' 

The celebration comes as reports circulated that the couple have reportedly splashed out £3million on a luxury love nest.

The six-bedroom home just outside London is the couple's way of proving 'how serious they are' about each other, according to insiders, after Perrie was accused of being the reason Zayn quit his chart-topping band this year. 

Love nest: The couple have reportedly splashed out £3million on a new home together 

Love nest: The couple have reportedly splashed out £3million on a new home together 

A source has told The Sun that the house signals a big milestone in the couple's relationship, nearly two years on from their engagement.

'This is a big statement by Perrie and Zayn,' they said. 'They've had to shoot down rumours of a split after his exit from the band and this is both of them showing everyone just how serious they are.'

'They're engaged and need somewhere they can both call home - and this house is it.'

The luxurious property is split into two wings and also features a three-bedroom guest cottage, with the insider describing the property as 'a safe haven' the couple can retreat to when Perrie isn't away on tour with Little Mix.

Chilling: Zayn posted a carefree selfie on Twitter on Tuesday, as he enjoys down time after quitting One Direction in March, with insiders claiming his new home with Perrie will be 'a safe haven'

Chilling: Zayn posted a carefree selfie on Twitter on Tuesday, as he enjoys down time after quitting One Direction in March, with insiders claiming his new home with Perrie will be 'a safe haven'

Following Zayn's departure from One Direction, the source adds that as the former boybander 'has a bit more time on his hands than he used to...this is a good place to be for him to hang out with mates or just spend some time alone. Plus it is just half an hour or so from London so Zayn won't be going into exile just yet.'

In March Zayn and Perrie were spotted checking out a £2million mock-Tudor mansion in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, with the two currently living together in North London.

The new house comes amid a turbulent time for the couple, after fans targeted Perrie following her fiance's decision to quit One Direction. 

Some loyal Directioners even compared the blonde to Yoko Ono, the widow of the late John Lennon, who was infamously blamed for breaking up the Beatles.

New stage: Perrie, who has been engaged to Zayn for nearly two years, has been busy defending their relationship over the past few weeks  

New stage: Perrie, who has been engaged to Zayn for nearly two years, has been busy defending their relationship over the past few weeks  

Three months on from Zayn's departure, some fans are still raging with the less-than-pleasant hashtag, #CANCELYOURENGAGEMENTZAYN, trending on Twitter this week.

In an interview with OK! magazine last month, Perrie defended her fiance insisting: 'Zayn is his own person and makes his own decisions. Whatever he wanted to do during that time, I was going to support him 100 per cent.'

Asked if she's happier now, she said: 'Yes. I'm happy if he's happy.'

Retreat: Perrie and Zayn's six-bedroom home will be a welcome love nest for the Little Mix star when she isn't touring with her band

Retreat: Perrie and Zayn's six-bedroom home will be a welcome love nest for the Little Mix star when she isn't touring with her band

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