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EastEnders' controversial baby swap storyline will be brought to an end earlier than originally intended, it has been confirmed.

The Walford soap has sparked thousands of complaints to the BBC after screening a plot which has seen Ronnie Branning lose her child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), before switching him with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) newborn son in her grief-stricken state.

Yesterday, it emerged that significant re-writes were taking place following the backlash, and subsequent reports have stated that the plot's conclusion could air as early as April.

A spokesperson has now told BBC News that the story is "due to finish earlier than planned".

Earlier this week, the BBC defended the storyline, claiming that EastEnders "has a long history of exploring difficult issues, and the storyline regarding Ronnie and Kat follows in this tradition".

The corporation's drama boss John Yorke has also insisted that the plotline does not depict Ronnie's actions as typical of a bereaved mother.

Samantha Womack - who plays Ronnie - is due to leave EastEnders later this year.