Its a surname that is synonymous with Bradford.

And now one of the Hockney brothers is hoping to delve into the past - and write a book about the family name.

John Hockney, brother of Britain's greatest living artist David, is hoping to get memories of all those who knew his family, particularly his beloved mother and father.

John, who has lived among the Australian Blue Mountains for the past 37 years, is even planning a short trip home to try to compile some of the best tales and catch up with friends and relatives before publishing his new work.

The 62-year-old was a graphic artist and exhibition designer until he decided to turn his hand to story telling and performing at schools, festivals and museums. He now specialises in stories for children and reminiscence tales aimed at helping elderly people with dementia. He is married to Helen and has a stepdaughter, Angela, 32.

John's book centres on his parents and their struggles to bring up a family from before the war until the 1950s. It aims to explore the individuality of each member from John's perspective and will include a social history of the times.

John said: "Like most working class families at that time there was some confrontation of financial hardship, but never a poverty of spirit.

"The book will include much of the Hockney humour, love and warmth as well as the struggles, injustices and inequalities of the day."

John will be visiting his home town in October to carry out research for the book, which is already drafted but needs some extra detail.

And there is plenty to examine about the Hockney clan.

John's brother, Paul, is a former Lord Mayor of Bradford and was a Liberal councillor in Idle before moving to Flamborough with his wife Jean. His other brother, Philip, moved to Australia where he started a business designing and manufacturing large trucks.

Margaret, John's sister, travelled around the world as a nurse and has now settled in Bridlington.

John's father, Kenneth, who died in 1979, had an accountancy business in Bradford. He was an amateur artist and campaigned on world issues, writing many letters to the Telegraph & Argus.

His mother, Laura, was a shop assistant and Sunday school teacher. She died in 1988 having spent more than 90 years in Bradford - 50 of them at the family home in Hutton Terrace, Eccleshill.

John would now like to hear from anyone who can help him collect stories about his family. He can be contacted by e-mail at jokni@ozemail.com.au.