Homer meets Tony Blair in a famous episode of The Simpsons

Officials in the Fife and South of Scotland towns said if they were approached by 20th Century Fox to stage the event they would be happy to do so.

There are currently 16 US cities named Springfield which have been asked to compete to host the US premiere of the movie in July.

The popular cartoon series is based in its own fictional town of Springfield.

Officials in the two Scottish towns said they hope Fox will now consider a UK competition.

We think the most obvious location to host the UK premiere of the new Simpsons film is Springfield, Cupar, Fife Linda Thomson, Fife Council

Currently in its 18th year, The Simpsons revolves around the antics of bald, beer-guzzling family man Homer and his spiky-haired son Bart.

Unlike either of its Scottish counterparts, the fictional town boasts several prisons and a monorail.

Despite not having a cinema and a population of less than 1,000, officials at Fife Council said they would jump at the chance to play host to the UK event.

Local authority event co-ordinator Linda Thomson said: "We think the most obvious location to host the UK premiere of the new Simpsons film is Springfield, Cupar, Fife.

"Of course, neither Springfield nor Cupar actually have a cinema, but this would just give us the opportunity to create an American drive-in experience, in either the beautiful Haugh Park or Duffus Park, using our new top of the range outdoor projector.

Common name

Dumfries and Galloway, which boasts a Springfield of its own near Gretna, also said it would throw its hat into the ring, given the chance.

Film commissioner Mark Geddes said: "It all sounds very interesting. I don't know how many UK locations are called Springfield but I wouldn't imagine there are many. It would be daft to miss out."

Simpsons creator Matt Groening said he chose the name Springfield for the cartoon because it was a common US city name.

It is the longest-running prime-time entertainment series on television in the US and a worldwide hit.

A spokesperson for Fox said it currently has no plans to hold a Springfield premiere contest in the UK.