Unite welcomed today’s launch by Nissan, the north east’s biggest private sector employer, which has about 540 female staff at the site.

Unite regional officer Nick Halton said: “What a fantastic way to celebrate yesterday’s (Sunday 8 March) International Women’s Day with Nissan in Sunderland committing to Unite’s period dignity campaign.

“Nissan is a pragmatic employer which understands the importance of ensuring sanitary products are accessible to all employees at no cost.”

Unite’s period dignity campaign aims for every workplace and public building to have sanitary products accessible to all, and to abolish the stigma and embarrassment around periods which are a natural process for all women.

Unite regional coordinator Suzanne Reid said: “We are delighted that Nissan is the latest organisation to sign up to Unite’s campaign and follows in the footsteps of such high profile employers in the north east as Rolls Royce at Washington and Sunderland city council.

“Unite will continue to encourage other regional employers, as well as nationally, to follow Nissan’s progressive lead in the weeks and months ahead.”