Early paintings by Bradford's international artist David Hockney may be sold or swapped by one of Britain's most prestigious galleries in order to acquire some of his later works, it emerged today.

The Tate gallery may try to extend the range of his work to give the public a greater insight into the acclaimed artist.

But the Tate stressed today that no definite decision had been taken and any decision would need to go through its trustees.

A spokesman said discussions had taken place, with Hockney's name mentioned as an example of a famous contemporary artist who had only earlier examples of his work displayed at the gallery.

The spokesman added that American galleries often sold or swapped paintings in order to broaden exhibitions. The museum owns 98 of his works - most on paper - up to 1977.

They include acclaimed works like A Bigger Splash from 1967 and Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy from 1970 to 1971.

Today Mr Hockney told the Telegraph & Argus he could not comment on the possibility of some of his earlier works going on the market because he did not know of any suggestions. But Bradford artist and television art critic Alan Hydes welcomed the suggestion.

"A lot of his work is of very, very high collectable value and would bring in considerable funds for the Tate.

The whole thing about Hockney's work is that he has always been prolific.

"I think his swimming pool and Grand Canyon pieces could go and be replaced by the water colours he did a few years ago of his friends which were heavily criticised.

"I adored the water colours and he did them because he was exploring the use of water colour. It was a very brave thing for him to do but he has always had the courage of his convictions!"

Hockney is one of the world's best selling living artists.

Last year he was placed ninth in a table of the ten best sellers in the national arts magazine Art Review.

He is said to have sold more than 1,000 works at auction since 1970 for a total of £23.7 million.

His Portrait of Nick Wilder fetched a record £1.8 million at Christies in New York in 2002.