Blackburn with Darwen Council has added nine new venues where woman and girls can obtain free sanitary products as the cost of living crisis bites.

They are in addition to 16 outlets already offering period products such as sanitary pads and tampons at no cost,

The council’s public health team have added the new venues which stock completely free sanitary products to make sure everyone who needs to has access to them when needed.

The new venues are:

  • Blackburn Central Library
  • Darwen Library
  • Witton Leisure Centre
  • Blackburn Leisure Centre
  • Darwen Leisure Centre
  • Livesey Family Hub
  • Little Harwood Family Hub
  • Darwen Family Hub
  • Shadsworth Family Hub

The existing outlets for the free products are:

  • Kaleidoscope Youth Centre, Lindisfarne Avenue, Blackburn
  • Shadsworth Hub, Rothesay Road, Blackburn
  • Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street, Blackburn
  • Little Harwood Community Centre, Whalley Old Road, Blackburn
  • Ivy Street Community Centre, Ivy Close, Blackburn
  • Greenfields Community Centre, Green lane, Blackburn
  • Energy Zone, Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn
  • Darwen Valley Community Centre, Sudellside Street, Darwen
  • Accrington Road Community Centre, Accrington Road, Blackburn
  • Bangor Street Community Centre, Norwich Street, Blackburn
  • Rummage Rescuers CIC, Harrison Street, Whalley Banks, Blackburn
  • Blackburn Youth Zone, Jubilee Street, Blackburn
  • Blackburn College, Feilden Street, Blackburn
  • Brook Blackburn, Darwen Street, Blackburn
  • Morrisons, Railway Road, Blackburn
  • The Mall, Church Street, Blackburn

Cllr Julie Gunn, deputy leader of the council, said: "I’m really pleased that we have been able to add even more venues which are offering the free period products.

"I think this is especially important during the festive period when people often find themselves struggling for money due to the demands of the Christmas season.

"The cost of living crisis is still with us and it is still forcing some people to make impossible choices between heating, eating, and trying to find the money for period products which of course are absolutely vital.

"Anyone who need to can go along to their nearest venue and pick up their free period products. Please don’t be embarrassed to ask."