A THIRD of schools in Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East, are yet to sign up to a Government scheme to provide free period products to their pupils, figures suggest.

The Red Box Project, which campaigned for the scheme to be introduced, says with the rising cost of living, it is even more important young people have access to the products.

Department for Education data shows just 66 per cent of 162 eligible state-funded schools in Cheshire West and Chester ordered period products for their pupils between the start of the scheme in January 2020 and the end of last year.

It means the remaining 34 per cent of schools are yet to take advantage of the scheme.

The figures cover primary and secondary schools, as well as 16 to 19 education providers.

In Cheshire East, 62 per cent of 161 eligible state-funded schools order period products in the same time period, leaving 38 per cent of schools yet to take advantage of the scheme.

Products schools can order include period pads and tampons, and environmentally friendly alternatives such as period cups and reusable pads.

They are available to all pupils who need them, including those who have forgotten products, start their period unexpectedly, or cannot afford them.

Across England, uptake of the scheme is around 61 per cent in primary schools, but 94 per cent across secondary schools.

Clegg Bamber, co-founder of The Red Box Project, wants more schools to sign up to the project to avoid young people missing school due to a lack of access to period products.

He said: "The rising tide of the cost of living, added to the impact of the pandemic on families and carers, means household budgets are needing to stretch further.

"Free period products can be the lifeline to young people who menstruate but don't have access to period products.

"No young person must miss out on their education because they have their period."

Will Quince, minister for children and families, said the Government was encouraging all schools to make the most of the scheme.