The council paid about £800 for six straighteners

Hair straighteners have been introduced to three schools in West Dunbartonshire in a bid to encourage more girls to take part in physical education.

The local council bought them after teenage girls said they worried about "bad hair" after sports classes.

Nine sets of straighteners have been installed in the female changing areas of three new "flagship" schools in the area at a cost of about £800.

The council said the move was part of wider efforts to improve PE facilities.

Hair straighteners are now in place for female pupils at St Peter the Apostle, Clydebank High and Vale of Leven Academy.

'Falling participation'

A council spokeswoman said: "West Dunbartonshire Council has installed nine sets of hair straighteners within the changing facilities at each of the council's three new flagship schools.

"The council considers the views of pupils to be critical in ensuring that the school environment is as positive and inclusive as possible and pupils were widely consulted during the design phase.

"The falling rate of female participation in sport was a key issue discussed by pupils and improvements to changing and showering facilities, including the installation of hair straighteners, was considered important in reversing this trend.

"The installation amounts to a total expenditure of less than £1,000 to encourage more girls to participate in PE and support positive self-image."