In a decree, Jean Debouzy, mayor of Montereau in north-central France, said he is “in favour of the distribution of little blue pills”.

It comes after the mayor of neighbouring Cour-Marigny suggested shutting their primary school due to population decline.

The next closest primary school for children in Monterau and Cour-Marigny is five miles away.

Under Mr Debouzy’s proposal, Viagra would be “distributed to couples aged between 18 and 40 to give them every chance of conceiving and thus preserve the two schools”, The Times reports.