THE East Lancashire-based head of a women's police association has praised a new device aimed at cutting down on the number of days women officers are off sick with period pain.

Irene Divine, national co-ordinator for the British Association of Women Police Officers, which is based in Rossendale, said she welcomed the introduction of the device as a forward step.

Women officers from across the country have been trying the magnetic device which aims to reduce period pain by improving blood circulation in the pelvis and reducing muscle cramp.

Police said it was impossible to estimate how many days were lost to the force because of period pain, but that any reduction would be a welcome consideration.

Irene added: "If you consider the number of days lost because of period pain, then buying this product has got to be a consideration.

"From the point of view of looking to find ways to reduce sickness anything forces can do has got to be of benefit."