Homer's beer habit prompts fine for publishers

It's a classic.

Homer no function beer well without.

So spoke Homer Simpson, one of the world's best-loved goofy Dads, in an episode of cult cartoon The Simpsons.

But Lithuanian authorities failed to see the funny side of Homer's soft spot for beer. In fact, they've wrapped the Simpson franchise over the knuckles for breaking the country's strict advertising laws.

According to Lithuanian law enforcers, the official comic of The Simpsons, as published in its Lithuanian version, contravenes advertising laws by promoting the fictional Duff Beer brand.

Technically, you cannot buy Duff Beer in Lithuania, but you can buy an unlicensed version in countries such as Mexico and Germany, which has led to The Simpsons being penalised.

The firm has been fined 10,000 litas (2500 pounds) and the comic has now been pulled from the shelves until the publishers can come up with a way to avoid future penalties. Doh.