Leigh granddad reunited with Marina car 'full of happy memories'

A mechanic and classic car enthusiast, Harry Hayes has been the owner of many vehicles in his life, with his favourite being the British Leyland Morris Marina.

Purchased in the 1980s, Harry's red Marina holds serious sentimental value as he used it to travel the length and breadth of the country, from Lands End to John O'Groats and everything in between, with his beloved wife Irene.

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An old picture of Harry's Marina, with Irene to the car's left (Image: Sarah Hodkinson) With Harry and Irene squeezing more than 25 years worth of mileage out of the Marina, time eventually caught up with the vehicle and the couple sold it around ten years ago due to the ever-increasing jobs it needed to stay on the roads.

Despite the work that needed doing to the car, which was named 'Joey' after its J registration plate, its memory became more sentimental after Irene passed away, aged 88, in February.

Aware of the sentimental value of the vehicle, Harry's daughter had been looking out for the Marina on vintage car groups on social media, and after it was put up for sale a handful of times, Sarah was able to secure it and bring it back to her dad's home in Leigh.

Another old image of Harry's Marina in Leigh (Image: Sarah Hodkinson) Mum-of-two Sarah said: "My dad and step mum travelled everywhere in that car, from Lands End to John O'Groats, and he even took to classic car shows as it was one of the oldest Marina's around.

"Eventually, my dad had to sell the car because all the work that needed doing was a bit much for him, but after his wife died, I knew he would love to have it back.

"He had so many happy memories in that car, and everyone on the social media group agreed that it should go back to the original owner, which I'm very grateful for.

"It brought a tear to my eye when I was bringing it back because I knew how much it would mean to him, and he is delighted to see it back home.

"It does need a bit of work doing to it but it's nothing my dad can't do!"

Sarah had a tear in her eye when bringing back the car to her dad