Dundee is planning to step up the war on “period poverty” by handing out free sanitary products in schools.

Starting in August, state schools in the city council area are set to provide tampons and sanitary towels to those who need them.

Councillors will be asked to give council officers permission to consult on the proposals at a meeting of the children and family services committee on Monday.

The funding for the programme will be met by the Scottish Government, which backed a member’s bill by Labour MSP Monica Lennon.

Committee convener Gregor Murray said the council wanted to make sure it was on the “front foot” when the legislation is formally passed.

The North East councillor added: “I’m really keen that we speak to the local youth council — it’s important that young people have their say.

“We’re keen to avoid bureaucracy and want to make sure no one misses out. It’s going to help lots of young people across the city.”

Poverty charity The Trussell Trust, which operates a network of foodbanks across Scotland, believes there is still a stigma attached to asking for feminine hygiene products.

A survey conducted by the girls’ rights charity Plan International UK earlier this year found 40% of girls had resorted to using toilet roll because they couldn’t afford sanitary items. Some had even overused products, leading to impacts on their health — which chief executive Tanya Barron described as “devastating”.