A hugely popular sport with both men and women, Badminton is only a very recent addition to both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth games (1992 and 1996, respectively).

Its origins, however, date back at least two thousand years to the game of battledore and shuttlecock played in ancient Greece, India and China.

Badminton took its name from Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the home of the Duke of Beaufort, where the sport was played in the last century.

The Badminton Association of England, was formed in 1893 and established the laws of the game that we know today. The sport is now hugely popular all over the world.

The Malaysians are a force to be reckoned with in the Men's events, dominating the Kuala Lumpur Games in 1998, but England are expected to make a strong showing in the Women's and Mixed Doubles events.

Staged at the new Bolton Arena, this is expected to be a highpoint of the games.