Women who are experiencing period poverty in Clydebank are set to benefit from a new scheme which aims to eradicate the issue.

Free sanitary products will soon be made available in selected venues throughout the area as part of the Scottish Government’s £5.2million scheme to help “banish the scourge of period poverty” among young people.

West Dunbartonshire Council will receive £23,839 in March, £8,851 of which will be used for setting up and developing the project, while the other £14,988 will provide sanitary products.

The authority will also receive £59,953 for the following financial year.

Free sanitary products are already available in all primary and secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire as well as additional establishments.

A report to the community planning West Dunbartonshire management board says the funding aims to make sure that women who are in poverty can get hold of free sanitary products across the district, which are easy to access, and which won’t cause them embarrassment or shame.

The report states: “The focus for provision is on ensuring that those women who are experiencing poverty are able to access products, free of charge, in venues which are accessible and stigma free.”

The report also says that experience from delivering this scheme in pilot areas suggests that the best way to deliver this is by providing baskets or cloth bags, stocked with a variety of products, in publicly accessible toilets in various locations.

Proposed local venues include Clydebank Health Centre, Clydebank town centre office, Dalmuir Library, and Glenhead Centre in Duntocher.

The council is set to raise awareness of this provision, through posters and social media, and make sure that products are available and accessible to those who need them most.