YORKSHIRE Water is joining forces with social enterprise Hey Girls to provide 20,000 sustainable period packs to the county's secondary schools.

The partnership aims to improve period dignity amongst young people, while also addressing the environmental issue of items.

Such issues include tampons and pads being flushed down the toilet, causing blockages in waste services.

Nicola Shaw, chief executive of Yorkshire Water said: "Our association with Hey Girls will help us to introduce pupils to alternative, plastic-free period products and encourage reusable, sustainable alternatives."

The initiative is part of wider efforts to reduce the loss of important school days due to period anxiety and dignity.

The education programme includes sessions on period health, explaining where to access products and addressing sustainable solutions better for pocket and environment.

Kate Smith, co-founder of Hey Girls, said: "We are pleased that Yorkshire Water has decided to join our mission to promote period dignity providing young people with free period products."

The campaign also hopes to raise awareness about safe disposal of period products.

Preventing blockages caused by fats, oils, and grease, represented a previous success with the so-called "fatburg" reducing in numbers.