The Scottish Government has announced it will run its baby box scheme for another five years.

Since its introduction in August 2017, more than 131,000 boxes full of items to assist new parents to care for their children have been distributed across the country.

New mothers are registered for a baby box by their midwife between week 20 and week 24 of their pregnancy at their regular antenatal appointment. The boxes are delivered about four weeks before the baby’s due date.

Approximately 93% of expecting parents opt to take advantage of the offer.

The boxes include items such as a mattress, fitted sheet and blanket to fit the box, a selection of clothes from newborn up to the age of six months, books and a digital ear thermometer.

Efforts to extend the scheme over the next five years has been delayed slightly due to the coronavirus pandemic – however, the Scottish Government has said it remains committed to extending the scheme.

A spokeswoman said: “At its heart, Scotland’s baby box strongly signals our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life by ensuring that every family with a newborn has access to essential items needed in the first six months of a child’s life.

“It’s a simple idea which helps to tackle deprivation, improve health and support parents during the first few months of their child’s life.”

The contract is currently out for tender with the intention for it to begin in July 2020 to allow for the service to be delivered from May 2021 to March 2026.

Megan MacDonald, a first-time parent from Glenelg, has said the box has proven to be “extremely useful” and has saved her and husband Jon the added expense of purchasing items to care for one-month-old Annie.

Mrs MacDonald said: “So far we have loved ours.

“There are so many bits in it that have been proven to be very useful. We are so fortunate to not need to fundamentally rely on it but it has been a really nice thing to look forward to.

“The bath thermometer has been fantastic. At first, I wasn’t so sure about it but I have used it every time.”