The historical group is looking to contract six printers to produce around 60 titles a year with average runs of 3,500.

Books include Restoration, a follow-up to the BBC TV series of the same name, A Load of Old Balls charting the history of all types of balls, and Engineering Archie about a famous footballer of yesteryear.

English Heritage currently relies on four printers: Bath Press, Butler & Tanner, St Ives Westerham Press, and Snoeck-Ducaju & Zoon in Belgium.

However, the contracts are due to end soon and the new deals will last for three years with a possible 12-month extension.

"We spend around 300,000 a year on publications, often do reprints and prefer shorter runs because we don't like to hold too much stock," said print buyer Elaine Pooke.

Deadline for receipt of tenders is 13 February, contact: post.box@english-heritage.org.uk