England’s women’s football team have unveiled a new kit, with blue shorts instead of white, a change encouraged by player’s longstanding concerns about wearing white while on their periods.

The Lionesses will wear blue shorts for both their home and away kits for the first time during the friendly game against Brazil on 6 April.

Then again during the Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

The new home uniform pairs blue shorts with the traditional white shirt, with the three lions crest and blue detailing, while the away uniform is all blue.

In a statement, the English Football Association did not give a reason for the colour of shorts being changed, however, players including Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway spoke about issues they faced wearing white shorts during last year’s European Championships.

“It is very nice to have an all-white kit but sometimes it’s not practical when it’s the time of the month,” Mead said last July, adding that some players expressed their thoughts and worries to kit manufacturer, Nike.

The move comes as part of Nike’s new leak protection technology, which aims to provide players with “confidence when they can’t leave the pitch”.

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Former England footballer Sue Smith said it is “great” that the players have been listened to.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the announcement, she said: “It is something that players have spoken about previously and nothing has happened.

“As a player you want to feel comfortable, and if you are comfortable you are playing well.”

The new England kits will go on sale from Monday 5 June, ahead of the Women’s World Cup in the summer.