FANS of the anarchic animated adventures of The Simpsons will be able to enjoy a stroll through Springfield via Kendal this autumn.

Organisers of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which runs from October 16-18, have announced the stellar signature of award-winning Simpsons artist Bill Morrison to make a special guest appearance at the event which takes place in Kendal in the autumn.

Bill is the head of the Simpson’s comic arm Bongo Comics and is responsible for creating thousands of drawings for t-shirts, video games, posters and toys relating to the series.

He also co-created the popular animated series Futurama together with Simpsons godfather Matt Groening, working on the early character designs for the show and serving as the series art director.

LICAF director Julie Tait said engaging Bill was a major coup for the festival: "We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and delighted to pull it off. Attracting the creator of comic art work with such resonance in popular culture will help us open up the festival to a wider audience.”

Following hot on the heels of the success of last year’s festival, Julie has been busy scouring the globe for the best and most original names to appear in October and there will be a vibrant international flavour to this year’s event.

Another feather in the festival's cap for 2015 is the Canadian artist Darwyn Cooke, famous for his work on iconic superheroes such as Batman, Spiderman, X-Men and Superman for comic publishing giants Marvel and DC, who will be jetting in for his first ever UK date.

His appearance also ties in with a close collaboration with LICAF and similar festivals in Canada and a delegation from Kendal will be flying out to North America in May to showcase the event at the Toronto Comic Art Festival.

There will be plenty for fans of French flair to enjoy with events from four acclaimed Gallic artists including the famous French comic book creator Boulet who was recently confirmed as a new patron of the festival.

The festival will also see Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre 'turning Japanese' hosting a number of events inspired by the Far Eastern home of iconic comic art style Manga.

Closer to home, another confirmed attendee includes the acclaimed political cartoonist Steve Bell.

"The planning for this year’s festival is really gathering pace," added Julie. "We are signing up exciting new artists all the time and there is a real buzz about 2015 already."