Now in its 155th year, the annual competition is the longest standing exhibition of its kind in the world. It aims to showcase a wide range of genres and styles of photography and celebrate the work of amateur and professional photographers alike.

Up to 125 prints will be selected for the exhibition and a selection of gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded, along with a total of £6500 cash prizes to be divided amongst winners and Olympus PEN equipment for the winner of the Under 25 Gold Award category.

The exhibition, sponsored by law firm Allen & Overy, will open in London in July 2012 and tour the UK for up to a year. All selected images will be reproduced in a full colour catalogue and photographers will also have the opportunity to sell copies of their prints.

The judging panel consists of Roger Tooth, head of photography at The Guardian and The Observer and a selection of photographers including Tom Hunter, Ian Beesley, Sandy Cleland and Vanessa Slawson.

The competition is open to all and the closing date for entries is 21 March 2012.

For more information, visit www.rps.org/international-print-exhibition.