A more modern version of the Leyland/Roe combination is seen at the same location. The tall building in line with the back of the bus is Unity Hall. Here in 1899 a public meeting was held to raise funds for a statue of Robert Ascroft, the town's M.P. who had just died and was renowned for his work in improving the rights of workers in the cotton industry. The statue was unveiled in 1903 and still stands in Alexandra Park.

Photograph by courtesy of The Bus Archive/Roy Marshall