Bid to acquire key art collection

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The National Gallery of Scotland is to join forces with the Tate in London in a bid to buy a key UK art collection.

Anthony d'Offay gathered together works by artists such as Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol over a period of 30 years.

The former art dealer has now offered the two institutions his collection on a part gift, part sale basis.

It is believed to be worth more than Â£40m but the price is still being negotiated and both institutions will still have to raise the finances.

Mr d'Offay was a leading figure in the art dealing world until his retirement in 2001.

He was famed for bringing star exhibitions to his relatively small gallery through his friendships with key artists.

Other works in his collection include pieces by Gilbert and George and Robert Mapplethorpe.