A TALENTED teenager who faces daily health struggles has found strength in her art which features in an exhibition at a North gallery.

Hope Simpson from Bishop Auckland lives with chronic fatigue syndrome, ME, hypermobility and Functional Neurological Disorder, which causes her to suffer at least ten seizures every day.

The 16-year-old has channelled her energy into her photography which she uses to explore the impact her health conditions have had on her life.

Her pictures, which focus on self-portraiture, are currently part of the Black & White Exhibition at No.42 in Bishop Auckland, a shop and gallery space run by The Auckland Project.

She said: "When I became ill, photography was a lifeline for me, I felt that I had lost a lot of my identity and photography gave me some of that back, it was something to look forward to and enjoy.

"I sometimes struggle to articulate exactly how I feel and I'm able to express myself better through images."

Earlier this year, Miss Simpson's work was put on display for the first time in the free summer exhibition at No 42, on Market Place.

The venue's latest free exhibition featuring her work runs until Saturday, October 28.