A record 3,852 songs have been submitted to enter Melodifestivalen 2011, the selection process for Sweden's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest. This smashes last year's number of 2,860 and the previous record of 3,440 set in 2009.

Sweden is set for a record number as well in theWebbjokeronline selection for amateur entrants, the numbers jumping from 246 last year to 424 submitted in this year’s selection.

Speaking toeurovision.tv, Thomas Hall, Project Manager of Melodifestivalen, commented "The total number of submissions shows that Melodifestivalen keeps its position as Sweden's largest music competition.”

Swedish broadcaster SVT has announced that the webbjoker entries will be vetted first to ensure rule compliance and will first go online on 11th October.Voting will then take place and the top 5 will go through to awebbjokerfinal in November where two will qualify for the Melodifestivalen competition proper.15 songs from the others submitted will be selected by a special jury, and 15 songs will be selected by SVT themselves, possibly, but not exclusively from those submitted.

Sweden for the first time in 2010 did not reach the Eurovision final, with Anna Bergendahl finishing 11th in the second semifinal withThis is my life.

An article by Ben Robertson.