FREE sanitary products are now available from dozens of outlets in East Renfrewshire.

Products such as tampons, menstrual cups and night towels can now be accessed for free in more than 40 premises across the council region.

The roll-out follows a pilot in August 2018, when free period products were made available in schools, colleges and universities.

The aim is to help alleviate the effects of period poverty. This has now been expanded and period products will be made available in a range of community venues across Scotland.

East Renfrewshire Council has been working in partnership with Hey Girls to ensure residents can now access the free products at various locations.

Venues include libraries, Barrhead and Eastwood health centres, community halls and sports facilities, including The Foundry.

Evidence suggests up to 25 per cent of people have had difficulties accessing period products at some point.

A full list of venues supplying free period products in East Renfrewshire can be found at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/sanitaryproducts.