Flickr Select is "a hand-selected collection of the most unique, creatively adventurous and hard to replicate imagery Getty Images finds within Flickr," claims a Getty Images spokeswoman.

The move comes as the Flickr Collection at Getty Images has accumulated more than 120,000 images three years after the deal between both companies was first announced and two years after the collection was launched.

When asked why Getty Images felt it had to offer a smaller pool of images under the Flickr Select brand, a spokeswoman says that the stock agency is looking to offer "a way of differentiating these images as the more premium amongst the Flickr collection."

She adds: "The range of pictures within Getty Images' Flickr collection is significant. As a result, we have used our creative expertise to group these images into different collections, suited to different needs and demands - the intent being to help our customers differentiate and find the exact [rights-managed] image they want for their usage needs."

In a statement, Andrew Saunders, vice president of creative imagery at Getty Images, says: "The crowd-sourced nature of Flickr means that we're seeing all aspects of life documented and reflected. What sets Flickr Select apart are one-of-a-kind pictures hand-picked by our editors and art directors that illustrates life as it's being lived - real moments captured by everyday people."

The new collection will include at least 6000 images, with new "content" added on a monthly basis, says Getty.

Visit www.gettyimages.com/flickr.