North Ayrshire Council have provided free  period products to Largs Academy pupils.

The council will also be providing products throughout the community, working with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the Health and Social Care Partnership in a bid to combat period poverty and reduce inequalities.

This scheme is part of the council’s #perioddignity campaign, which was established in 2017 and saw the authority become the first in the UK to offer free sanitary products in schools, libraries, community centres and public buildings.

Period poverty sees females across the country use items which are not suitable to manage their periods because they cannot afford proper products.

Council Leader Joe Cullinane added: “Sanitary products are a necessity, not a choice. I wish for no person in North Ayrshire to find themselves in the embarrassing and often degrading situation of having to use improper sanitary protection simply because they cannot afford it.

“Periods are not exempt from poverty – they don’t take account of what is in your pocket or purse. “Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we should continue to develop ways in which to tackle this gendered inequality.

 “The #perioddignity initiative is all about dignity and respect and we will continue to try our best to reach as many people in the community as possible so that no person in North Ayrshire who menstruates has the stress or worry of not having access to the products they need.

“During this uncertain time we will be reaching out into communities to ensure supplies are still available for those who need it.