MACHINES made by Rocester-based digger firm JCB played a part in the Chilean mine workers' rescue drama it has emerged.

A fleet of around 10 JCB machines operate at the San Jose copper and gold mine in Chile's Atacama Desert, where 33 miners were trapped more than 2,000ft underground for 69 days when part of the pit collapsed.

In the minutes leading up to the successful rescue mission, which started a week ago, a JCB Loadall telescopic handler, made at the company's world headquarters in Rocester, arrived at the rescue shaft to deliver the Phoenix capsule which brought the miners back to safety.

Another JCB Loadall telescopic handler played a role below ground while the miners were trapped, as a method of getting around the mine and for sleeping in.

Other products used at the mine include an excavator made at a JCB factory in Uttoxeter.

Carlos Hernandez, JCB's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said: "There's obviously huge relief throughout Chile and the rest of world that all the miners were brought out safely after such a long ordeal.

"JCB's products were used on a daily basis for a variety of tasks at the mine and we are delighted they played a very small role in what was one of the most amazing rescue stories of our time."

Meanwhile, East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott has called on trade unionists and others to use the events in Chile to highlight European Health and Safety Week, which starts on Monday.