GLOUCESTERSHIRE landmarks such as Tewkesbury Abbey are

missing from online maps used by millions.

And some claim the success of online services such as Google

Maps, as well as satnav devices and mapping software, is

putting churches, woodlands and stately homes in danger of

being forgotten.

According to British Cartographic Society president Mary

Spence, internet maps simply don't bother to include such

traditional landmarks.

Ms Spence told a Royal Geographic Society conference:

"Corporate cartographers are demolishing thousands of years of

history - not to mention Britain's remarkable geography - at a

stroke by not including them on maps which millions of us now

use every day.

"We're in real danger of losing what makes maps so unique;

giving us a feel for a place even if we've never been

there."

She said landmarks such as Worcester Cathedral and

Tewkesbury Abbey were not on their respective Google Maps.

But Google's Ed Parsons said the maps were there to be

personalised by users.

"Internet maps can now be personalised allowing people to

include landmarks and information that is of interest to them,"

he said.

"Anyone can create their own maps or use experiences to

collaborate with others in charting their local knowledge.

"These traditional landmarks are still on the map but people

need to search for them. Interactive maps will display

precisely the information people want, when they want it.

"You couldn't possibly have everything already

pinpointed."