Rare Simpsons script sold by fan

The script is signed by voice actress Maggie Roswell

A Simpsons fan from Aberfoyle has sold his rare original script of a 1990 episode of the popular cartoon.

Adam Carter was given the manuscript when he was just eight years old by actress Maggie Roswell, who voices several Simpsons characters.

The 45-page script, signed by Roswell, is for the "Bart v Thanksgiving" episode from the second season.

It sold for £340 - £40 more than its top estimated price - in an auction in South Cerney, Gloucestershire.

Mr Carter, 28, said he was selling his prized possession to pay for a trip to help Aids sufferers in Kenya.

The chief security officer, who now lives in Glasgow, was helping his parents at the family bed and breakfast in the summer of 1990 when a group of women from the US stayed.

"I was a huge Bart fan right from the start - and I still am," he said.

I expect there will be plenty of bidders trying to get hold of such an iconic piece of global popular culture Auctioneer Chris Albury

"I'm told these ladies took a shine to me and one was very interested to hear I was a fan of The Simpsons. She was very close to the voice actress Maggie Roswell and a few weeks later the Simpsons script came through our letterbox.

"I've treasured it for all those years, but I'm taking five months out to visit friends in Kenya who are helping Aids victims and I'm trying to raise all the money I can."

Roswell is best known as the voice of Simpsons characters Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Luann van Houten and Shelley Bobbins.

The voice actress signed the front page, which features an illustration of the Simpsons family: "Adam - you ARE real. Are you our number one fan. Remember this episode? Love Maggie Roswell."

She has also highlighted her characters' lines.

Chris Albury, auctioneer at Dominic Winter Book Auctions who sold the script, said it was an "iconic piece of global popular culture".

He added: "This script is unusual in that it dates back to the second season, long before many of us had cottoned on to just how good it was."