SCHOOLGIRLS will be enlisted to help devise a way to tackle period poverty in Glasgow secondaries.

Following the announcement from the Scottish Government that sanitary products are to be provided for free in schools, colleges and universities, Glasgow is leading the way with a pilot project.

Running in four city secondaries, the scheme will look at the best way to give out products from August 2018.

A motion from councillor Jennifer Layden will go before full council on Thursday for approval.

Ms Layden said: "This was always something that, as a woman, bothered me - why do we pay more for products that are considered a luxury item when this is part of the reality of being a woman.

"Most women have encountered the problem at one point of having access to sanitary products, whether that is being caught short or being in an abusive relationship where these are withheld as a form of control.

"We are going to go into schools and spend time with girls and find out how they feel about the issue and how we can help in a dignified and respectful manner."

The pilot project, if approved by full council, will run in four schools across the city - Smithycroft Secondary, Castlemilk High, Hillpark Secondary and St Paul’s Secondary.

It will run from January to March next year and be led by female pupils.

Ms Layden said there is currently "no real sense" of how widespread the issue is in city schools but the pilot project will carry out research to fill that gap.

The results will be used to support girls where there are problems and see how lack of access to sanitary products is affecting school attendance for female pupils.

The groups will be supported by a school member of staff and will report back to Ms Layden, SNP Councillor for Glasgow Calton ward and City Convener for Equalities and Human Rights, at the end of March with their findings.

Earlier this month Labour councillor Soryia Siddique made a plea in an email to city council education director Maureen McKenna for a similar scheme

Thursday's motion reads: "Glasgow City Council therefore instructs the City Convener for Equalities and Human Rights along with the City Treasurer to work with the Scottish Government and women and girls groups, to develop and implement an action plan to introduce free sanitary products in schools in Glasgow; and to scope out extending access to others."

In September Glasgow Airport revealed it is also to provide free sanitary products.