The BBC has scrapped a proposed storyline about a missing baby, in the light of the Madeleine McCann case.

The plot was due to revolve around Kara Tointon's character Dawn Swann, who is currently pregnant in the programme, reports reveal.

"It was felt any storyline that included child abduction would be inappropriate and could cause distress to our viewers," a spokeswoman said.

3-year old Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal on May 3rd.

Eastenders is the second soap to change their storylines in recent weeks; Coronation Street made a similar move two weeks ago.