Customer sign up form - Empty Country List

[Hamilton]

Hello, 

I am working on a new install using 1.7.5.1.

At sign up/ check out of a new customer, the customer details form has an empty country drop down list. Because of this, the country cannot be selected, and the form cannot be completed. (Please see attached pic)

Has anyone experienced this, or suggest how I could fix this?

I searched and found similar issues from others, but these date back 3-4 years, and the menu set up and options have all changed.

Many thanks,