An episode of Wife Swap feauting a Bristol woman which prompted more than 50 complaints about the treatment of an 18-month-old girl did not breach the broadcasting code, Ofcom ruled today.

The programme, broadcast on Channel 4 on June 21, featured 22-year-old Kelly Moyston, from Bristol, who said she fed her young daughter Georgina junk food and regularly stayed in bed until lunchtime.

The broadcasting watchdog received complaints from viewers concerned that Georgina lived in an unhygienic environment, was fed a poor diet and in one sequence was left in her cot until midday in a wet nappy.

The mother who took over Miss Moyston's family for the duration of the show, Kerry Murphy, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was shown reading a household manual left by Miss Moyston as a guide on how to run the household.

In this, Miss Moyston explained that she would "get up when I want, which is usually between 11.30 and 13.00" and "me (Miss Moyston) and Georgina rarely eat breakfast and when I wake up I just have a fag. If we do it will be a packet of crisps".

Some complainants said Channel 4 should have intervened to help the girl and others that the broadcaster should have reported Georgina's family to social services.

Ofcom said Channel 4 had taken measures to make sure the family were suitable to take part in the programme, including an assessment by an accredited psychotherapist, who said there was no cause for concern.

Filming was undertaken with a cameraman and producer who were both parents, Ofcom said, and members of the production team were on hand throughout in case of concerns.

Channel 4 told Ofcom that "at no stage was Georgina in any physical danger or risk and, emotionally, as was apparent in the programme, Georgina appeared to be a very happy and content baby".

Ruling that the show had not breached rules on the treatment and care of under-18s on television, Ofcom said: "With regard to specific aspects of Georgina's care, Ofcom notes that on the occasions when Georgina was left in a wet nappy she did not appear to be distressed. Further, as is not uncommon with babies, Georgina's wet nappy was changed as soon as she woke up.

"In Ofcom's opinion, given the safeguards in place, she was not at risk of material physical or emotional harm.

"We also accept that Georgina's diet, although arguably inappropriate at times, did not appear to result in any harm to or distress for Georgina, who came across as a healthy and happy child.

"The programme also did not encourage, condone or create the circumstances for the diet which Georgina was given."

Ofcom said that ultimately the show had had a positive impact on Georgina's upbringing. In a sequence filmed some weeks after the swap, Miss Moyston and her fiance were shown keeping their house cleaner than before, feeding Georgina a better diet and establishing a more regular daily routine.