Simpsons will go on, says Groening

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has allayed fears the upcoming 350th episode will mark the beginning of the end for the long-running show by insisting he's still dreaming up new ideas for future series.

Writers on the animated comedy are already working on scripts for the 17th series - a television sitcom record - quashing reports the escapades of Homer and his disaster-prone family are destined for the archives.