Ilford Photo has launched an annual Student of the Year competition with a theme designed to make b&w an ?integral? part of future professional photography.

Among the prizes up for grabs is a Mamiya 711 kit worth £1800.

The contest is open to photography students who must submit a portfolio of six b&w prints on the theme ?The rebirth of b&w photography and of Ilford Photo.? The closing date is 30 June.

A spokesman said: ?The images should reflect the innate beauty of b&w photography, thereby encouraging more professional photographers to make it an integral aspect of their work.?

The three winners will win £350 cash and £250 in Ilford photo products. While their colleges or universities will be given Ilford materials worth £500.

The best students will then spend two weeks working alongside professionals to complete an assignment set by the photographer, the work from which will appear in a student magazine later this year. The pictures will also appear on the Ilford Photo website and showcased at the Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany in the autumn.

For details call 01565 650 000 or visit www.ilfordphoto.com

Picture credit: Klaus Thymann