"Our mapwork requires large format and close register on special 90gsm uncoated stock," said Print Services manager David Kaye.

The six-colour press will work alongside a KBA 130a five-colour press.

It will be fully functional from spring 2006 and replace a 15-year-old Nebiolo Colora 7000 four-colour.

Ordnance Survey is a self-funding government agency founded in 1791. It now has more than 1,400 staff. The 114m turnover national mapping agency prints nearly 4m maps per year.

"It will be a great pleasure to have two KBA presses printing so many of Great Britain's maps," said KBA UK sales director Mark Nixon.