MORE than one in four women in Oxfod are struggling to afford basic sanitary products, a new survey has revealed.

Until now, the statistic of one in 10 women and girls in the UK being unable to afford menstrual products has been cited, but a new study suggests that the problem of so-called 'period poverty' could be more common in Oxford.

Just over 25 per cent of women surveyed in the city said they had struggled at one point to pay for period products putting Oxford in the top 10.

The city fared slightly better than the UK average of 27 per cent.

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The national survey of 1,000 people, also found that 51 per cent of the people in Oxford (men and women) said that they have either had direct experience, or know someone who has.

The figures come as part of a new campaign to highlight the problem of period poverty by awareness group the Bloody Big Brunch.

Lee Beattie of the Bloody Big Brunch said: “As a society, we need to send out the message that menstruation isn’t dirty and it certainly isn’t a luxury.

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" That’s why the Bloody Big Brunch is important.

"It’s an accessible way to get involved and spread the word that period products are a basic essential - not nice-to-have."

Brighton came out worst in the survey with 41.6 per cent women having experienced period poverty while Liverpool and Bristol were second with 41.2 per cent.

To sign up and take part, visit bloodybigbrunch.com