Order Customised OS Maps On Line

You know how your route always strays infuriatingly off the edge of one OS sheet and onto another meaning you have to carry two sheets instead of one?

Well, a new online OS service could mean the end of that particular annoyance. OS Select allows you to site-centre a 1:25,000 scale folded Explorer map customised to show a chosen area on a 20km by 20km sheet.

The map is supplied in a plastic wallet and to the same quality as off the shelf OS Explorer maps. You can either order it folded for outdoor use, or flat, so you could wall mount it. And in a nice touch of customisation, you can even choose your own title - in Welsh if you prefer - and panel illustration.

The customising process seems reasonably straightforward, though we got an error page when we tried to 'buy' the Glossop-centred map we'd ordered, but that's Macs for you.

You're not limited to a 1:25,000 scale map either. The 1:50,000 Landranger mapping is also available through OS Select covering a 40km x 40km area area. There's just one snag, the maps aren't exactly cheap at £15.99 plus £2.50 postage and packing for the Landranger version and a whopping £16.99 plus £2.50 p and p for the 1:25,000 (Explorer) version. Gulp. And no, they're not laminated.

You can customise and order your map on the OS Select web site and since you're a web user, we reckon you will. Alternatively, call 0845 200 2712. And don't forget to take out a personal loan to pay for it...