On the back of winning his four National Merit awards last October, Sunderland Photographer Michael Hope is now taking his award winning photography to do battle in America, by entering the prestigious Black and White Spider Awards.

Now in its 7th year, it is the leading International awards honouring black and white photography. The award entries reach photographers in 154 countries. Receiving a Black and White Spider Award is an endorsement of distinction from the most trusted names in the business. The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 12th May 2012.