Ordnance Survey maps will be produced under the auspices of a different government department in changes announced this week.

The body will move from the Department of Communities and Local Government to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, where it will be joined by the Met Office and the Land Registry.

It means weather and mapping experts will be able to share data, which could help enhance future walking map services.

The importance of having good means of navigation when out walking was emphasised by a mountain rescue carried out last week in the Scottish Highlands.

Lomond Mountain Rescue used a latitude / longitude position given by four people in difficulties on Ben Lomond to pinpoint their position on an Ordnance Survey map.

The party had set off up Scotland's southernmost Munro with one of the men intending to propose to his girlfriend, but another of the group became unwell with exhaustion.