Walkers in central southern England can now take advantage of OS Explorer Maps showing new access land areas.

The 24 maps, covering areas of South Gloucestershire, Bristol, East Somerset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are available through retailers and Ordnance Survey's online map shop at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure

Areas of countryside, previously off-limits to ramblers, will be opened up from December under new access laws. The updated OS Explorer Maps clearly show the extent of the areas where people will be allowed to walk for the first time on land away from public footpaths if they choose to do so.

Map makers at Ordnance Survey have used information supplied by the Countryside Agency to clearly show the new access land areas using a light yellow tint surrounded by a narrow, pale orange border, so that there won't be any confusion and misunderstandings between walkers, landowners and farmers.

OS Explorer Maps are being revised in stages over the next year, as access land information is made available across England and Wales after consultation under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The first maps covering the lower north-west and south-east England were published in September, and publishing the OS Explorer Maps for central southern England brings the number available so far to 56.

OS Explorer Maps are priced at £6.99. The map titles for central southern England include:

Salisbury & Stonehenge (130)

Shepton Mallet & Mendip Hills East (142)

Warminster & Trowbridge (143)

Bristol & Bath (155)

Chippenham & Bradford-on-Avon (156)

Marlborough & Savernake Forest (157)