THE 15,000th episode of radio soap The Archers was an everyday tale familiar to Oxford folk as a key character got caught up in city traffic.

The landmark episode hinged on whether character Ruth Archer would have a romantic liaison with herdsman Sam. They had booked a night together in a city hotel, but as Ruth was on her way, she got stuck in traffic and had a change of heart. The 'will-they-won't- they' storyline was the climax of one of the soap's most controversial plots.

Listeners were glued to their radio sets to discover whether Ruth, played by Felicity Finch, would stay with husband David, or run off to start a new life with her secret lover.

The Radio 4 website has been inundated with complaints from listeners who feel the storyline is far-fetched, pointing out that Ruth and David have been happily married for 18 years.

The formerly sleepy village of Ambridge has been rocked by drugs, sex and racism in recent years.

The soap is also gearing up for its first gay wedding, after Adam and Ian announced they are to tie the knot.