After 8 Tigers had been delivered, Southend turned to DAF and purchased two DAF MB200s in 1985, with Duple Laser bodies. 253, B253CVX, is seen here in Central Bus Station. A further pair were in build when the financial crisis caused major cutbacks in the London service and never entered service with Southend; they would have been 259/60.

Photo taken by Richard Delahoy, Southend Central Bus Station