A CHILEAN miner who was trapped underground will speak in Grove next Tuesday about his ordeal.

It will be the first of three talks in the county at the start of a UK tour by 55-year-old José Henriquez, and he will be staying in Abingdon next week.

The miners were the centre of world attention when trapped 700 metres underground for two months last year.

Mike Burke, a spokesman for the Church Mission Society in Oxford, said Mr Henriquez, the 24th of 33 miners to be rescued, would also give two talks in Oxford.

Accompanying drill operator Mr Henriquez, and acting as translator, will be Alf Cooper, chaplain to the President of Chile, who led the nation in prayers during the miners’ ordeal.

Mr Burke said: “When the rescue was taking place, one billion people worldwide watched on TV. José is a pastor but he also has to work as a miner to support his family.

“During his time in Oxfordshire, José will be based with a family in Abingdon.

“There is a tremendous amount of interest in this tour and some of the destinations around the UK include mining communities.

“The three talks in Oxfordshire are now fully booked.”

Mr Henriquez will address about 300 people at Grove parish church — Mr Cooper has close links with members of the congregation — next Tuesday, at 7.30pm.

Mr Burke added: “To put things into context, after this tour José is planning to attend a prayer breakfast with American President Barack Obama.”