Corbis Images and the Associated Press (AP) have announced they have entered into a new partnership that will see them deliver a huge bank of images to customers in what is an unprecedented move.

This comprehensive cross-partnership banding will see them share and distribute up to ten million pictures from their extensive photobooks, archives and digital catalogues, which covers an "unparalleled range of breaking news, sports and entertainment, archival and creative images."

Tom Curley, president and chief executive officer of AP, said: "Putting together AP's award-winning collection of breaking news and other editorial photography with Corbis' extraordinary collection of creative and historical imagery provides a perfect marriage of choice for our customers."

The deal is particularly significant given that Corbis and AP are two of the world's top photographic organisations.

Corbis is known for its being a leader in advertising and commercial images, whereas AP is an innovator in providing break news images, sports and entertainment.

Gary Shenk, chief executive officer of Corbis, said: "Corbis believes in the future of the media business, and our partnership with The Associated Press marks another major milestone in our company's commitment to providing customers with the most compelling and differentiated content offering in the market today."