Wee tearaway that Scotland took to its heart

Oor Wullie first appeared on the pull-out Fun Pages of the Sunday Post in 1936 and became a boy after Scotland's heart with his catchphrases: "Jings", "Crivvens" and "Help ma Boab".

Drawn by comic artist Dudley Watkins, who also created Desperate Dan and Biffo the Bear, nine-year-old Wullie lives with his Ma and Pa in Auchenshoogle, a town said to be a cross between Glasgow and Dundee.

Characters from the Broons, particularly Granpa, often turn up in Oor Wullie stories. Wullie's gang includes Fat Boab, Wee Eck and Soapy Soutar, while his chief adversary is PC Joe Murdoch.

Oor Wullie comic books first appeared in 1940 and were printed every two years, with The Broons appearing on alternate years. The highest price paid for Oor Wullie book number one was 4,845, which for a mint condition copy in 2008.

Although there is very little politics in Oor Wullie cartoons political caricaturists have often looked for inspiration to Scotland's favourite juvenile tearaway.

The late Willie Ross, secretary of state for Scotland under Harold Wilson, was frequently referred to as Oor Wullie while First Minister Alex Salmond is often called Wee Eck.