"Don't worry lad's, help is on the way" was the inspiring message as Britain's last remaining mine rescue team drove down to Heathrow airport in their Morris Marina.
The team consisting of Mr Kevin Smally and his dowdy wife Sharon expect to be in Chile by tomorrow, or the next day at the latest.
"We heard on the wireless that there were some miners trapped in Chile" said Sharon. "So I says to Kevin, you used to be in mine rescue when we used to have some mines, in the days before they were all closed down and you ended up having to work as a night watchman. Why don't we go and rescue them."
"Unfortunately, we burnt most of the equipment in order to keep warm after we were laid off" said Kevin. But some of the lads kept a few picks and shovels for working in the allotments with, so we were able to borrow those".
The team hope to start digging on Sunday, and expect to reach the trapped miners by Christmas.
