Southend 317, KCK879 and 318, KCK920 (in Ribble red showing old fleet number 1559), at the works being prepared for service.
For just over a year, Southend operated three Burlingham bodied ex Ribble Leyland PD3s on hire from Ensign. They were fitted with Southend destination gear and repainted before entering service.
All three were returned to Ensign in November 1975 and sold to China Motor Bus Company, Hong Kong for further service.

Photo taken by Richard Delahoy, Sunday 24 March 1974, Tonbridge Road works