A MAJOR Glasgow shopping centre will offer free sanitary products in a bid to fight period poverty.

Buchanan Galleries revealed complimentary sanitary products are now available in the ladies toilet facilities on the second floor, dispensed from a newly installed sanitary vending machine.

Kathy Murdoch, centre manager at Buchanan Galleries, said: “The team here at Buchanan Galleries believe strongly that every woman and girl should have access to sanitary protection.

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"We are therefore proud to do our bit in helping end period poverty in Scotland by offering free sanitary products to any shopper in need.”

The products are free to all but access to the service is intended for women and girls on low incomes and in need of free sanitary products.

A vending machine stocking paid-for sanitary products will still be available.

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Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “I am proud that Scotland is taking world-leading action to ensure sanitary products are freely available for those who need them.

"I warmly welcome the announcement from Buchanan Galleries and I would encourage other organisations to take this small step to provide free sanitary products wherever possible.”

It follows a high-profile campaign to increase access to free sanitary products with the Scottish Government allocating over £9million to provide products to all those in education as well as to low income.