A record 48 nations are represented at the All England badminton championships starting in Birmingham on Wednesday.

For the first time players from Algeria, Estonia and Mongolia will be among competitors from all five continents who will be taking part in the world's oldest and most prestigious open tournament.

More than 350 players will converge on the National Indoor Arena, the need for last-minute Olympic qualifying points helping swell the entry, which looks every bit as good as the line-up at the world championships at the same venue last July and August.

Championship director Darren Parks said: "Obviously, we are delighted with the size and the strength of the entry, but especially the fact that new nations are taking part."

Men's title-holder Hafiz Hashim of Malaysia faces a tricky second round hurdle against compatriot Wong Choong Hann, runner-up at the world championships to China's Xia Xuanze.

Xia has since dropped down the Chinese pecking order, such is the strength of the sport in the country, but remains a powerful factor even though seeded only five.

Lin Dan, the 20-year-old new world number one, is top seeded and seems to have a comfortable run to the later stages. South Korea's Lee Hyun-il also has the potential to lift a major title.

Local hopes rest on new national champion Aamir Ghaffar and Colin Haughton, the only two England players in the main draw.

China's women are out in force again and a re-run of the world championship final between gold medallist Zhang Ning and runner-up Gong Ruina looks likely.