Groundbreaking work by Boots to break the taboo of talking about the menopause has been recognised.

It has become the first health and beauty retailer to achieve an independent accreditation from Menopause Friendly Accreditation's Independent Panel.

It acknowledges the work the group is a doing to create a workplace culture where women feel empowered to talk about the transition and other health issues and get the support they need.

Boots, alongside Boots Opticians and No7 Beauty Company has also become the first health and beauty retailer to achieve the Age Inclusive accreditation from 55/Redefined.

A recent study by the age diversity organisation showed more than half of over-50s want to continue working beyond 65.

Lyndsey Simpson, founder and CEO of 55/Redefined, said: "Age Inclusive employers play a leading role in positively changing attitudes towards older workers in their own businesses, networks and communities.

"Not only are employers like Boots serving a large, diverse and consistently overlooked demographic of customers, but they are reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices."

Boots is one of the largest retailers in the UK and Ireland, with 2,200 shops including branches across Gloucestershire and customers ranging from teens to pensioners.

It has more than 51,000 UK staff, 27 per cent of which are over 50 and made up of 80 per cent women.

Ben Horner, HR director at Boots, said: "I'm so proud of both of these accreditations. This is a continuation of our long-standing commitment to our team members and our customers at all stages of life.

"I know there is much more for us to do to continue to promote a culture where we can talk openly about the menopause and its symptoms."

TV star Carol Vorderman recently spoke out about feeling 'suicidal at times' during menopause. The 61-year-old was part of the Menopause Bus tour, which saw This Morning and Boots band together to rchange the way people think and talk about how women are effected when they're periods end.

The symptoms directly affect half of the population, whilst indirectly affecting many others.

Boot's Menopause Approach, which forms part of its Gender Equity Plan, aims to raise awareness about the menopause and experience at work, create an environment where it can be talked about openly and empower and enable those experiencing it to get support.

The accreditations come after it announced in April it is covering the cost of team members' prescriptions Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT), furthering its diversity equity and inclusion commitments.

Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said: "There are some fantastic examples of employers paying for HRT and I am so impressed with Boots' commitment on this.

"There is still a long way to go to break the taboo of menopause, but with pioneering employers we are making real progress."