Wigan Album

Bus registration appears to be an "M" plate which came out in August 1973

Just blown up the original photograph and it looks like HJP 959H

Definitely an M plate, I also expanded the pic, look at the difference from the "H" at the beginning to the "M" at the end.
Nice photo

Fleet No 89, HJP 959H. A Leyland Panther built by Northern Counties and introduced in 1970. Each one cost £3358 and twelve were built, fleet numbers 80-91 registrations HJP 950H - HJP 961H.

Paula, Should have gone to Specsavers L.O.L.

I think this one met with a sticky end which meant it was never painted orange and white. I believe it was rear ended by a Ribble bus whilst stopped at a stop on Park Road in Springfield. Being a rear engined bus it brought its existence to a premature end.

89 was written off when quite new in rectort lne on the bad bend nr standish the driver Bill Cahill walked away the bus had a twisted chassis and was withdrawn

Wigan Corporation single deckers were in the minority and were essential for routes that went under low bridges, such as Gathurst, and Mill Lane Appley Bridge. After purchasing two Massey bodied Leyland Panther Cubs in 1967, 20 and 22, DJP468E and EEK1F, 12 slightly bigger Northern Counties bodied Leyland Panthers appeared in 1970, 80-91 HJP950-961H. This bus 89, HJP959H photographed outside the old library was the unlucky one, being scrapped following accident damage in 1973. The others passed to GMT in 1974, repainted orange and white as numbers 1680-8/90/1 and withdrawn in 1982/83.