A missionary who spent much of his life among New Zealand warriors will be remembered with an open gardens afternoon in the Oxfordshire village where he was born.

Gardens in Swerford, near Chipping Norton, will be open on Sunday (September 9) from 2.30pm until 5.30pm to mark the publication of a book about John King, who lived in the village in the late 18th century.

After working as a shoemaker at Nether Worton, Mr King sailed to New Zealand, aged 22, to work for 40 years with the Maoris.

The biography, Soles and Souls, was written by Hook Norton author Tony Higgins and will be launched at Swerford village hall on Friday at 7.30pm. The missionary's great-great-granddaughter, Pamela Berry, will travel from New Zealand for the launch.

Admission to the gardens is £2.50 with proceeds shared between the Church Mission Society, St Mary's Church and Swerford village hall.