GWENT TV cameraman Dai Baker has a second dinner date with the most powerful man in the world after winning a prestigious journalism award.

It follows his success as photographer of the year in a competition run by the White House.

Risca-born Mr Baker will be presented with his award by US President George W Bush. But ITN cameraman Mr Baker will not be daunted by the meeting. He won the same award last year and shared a table with the President at an exclusive awards dinner.

Mr Baker, 33, who works out of ITN's Washington office, won in four categories in the White House News Photographers Association awards with his stories broadcast on Channel 4 News. Judges then named him overall winner, beating cameramen from around the world, including those from American networks such as Fox and CNN.

Mr Baker said: "I didn't realise quite how prestigious the awards were last year until I found myself sat next to the president.

"It was bizarre. There's me sat next to the world's most powerful man, talking about watching baseball on Air Force One.

"He kept calling me 'big fella' all night - I don't think he could get his head round the name Dai."

He added: "It's amazing to have won again."

Now Mr Baker, who has reported from all around the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq, will meet the president in the Oval Office and receive a plaque at a dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington.

He said: "It's quite daunting because I have to make a speech in front of 800 of my peers."