Introduction

This website uses cookies as a way of improving the user experience. This is common practice around the world and the majority of websites that you visit will probably use cookies for one reason or another.

There is now an EU cookie law (e-Privacy Directive) which has been in place since 26 May 2011. The law states that website owners must obtain the consent of people who are accessing a website where cookies are being used. In order for this consent to be given we must ensure that the people who visit our website understand that the website uses cookies. They can then decide whether they wish to continue using the website or not.

The following information explains what cookies are, how and why we use them and how you can stop cookies being stored on your machine if you do not wish for them to be used.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by our website and only our website will be able to read the contents of the cookie.

Each cookie is unique to your web browser and will contain some anonymous information which allows our website to remember things like your preferences and to respond to you as an individual. Cookies enable websites to tailor their operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

Cookies are used for many different jobs. For example, they may be used to make the website pages load more quickly when you re-visit the site or for remembering your username or other information that you enter into forms so that it is more convenient for you when you go to perform the same task. Cookies make the interaction between you and the website faster and easier.

Cookies are also used as part of programmes that track visitors to the website and the visitor journeys on the website. This information does not enable us to see who you are but it does enable us to understand which pages you have visited and what journeys you have taken through the website as well as a wide range of other information that is related to how people use the website. This enables us to try and identify ways that we can improve the website. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes.

If a website doesn't use cookies, it will think you are a new visitor every time you move to a new page on the site - for example, when you enter your login details and move to another page it won't recognise you and it won't be able to keep you logged in.

Some websites will also use cookies to enable them to target their advertising or marketing messages based for example, on your location and/or browsing habits.

Organisations also use cookies for enabling a website to recognise your computer or device so you don't have to give the same information many times during a single task, measuring how many visitors are using the site so that they can ensure that there is adequate server capacity to serve the information and recognising usernames and passwords so that you don't have to keep logging in every time you move to another page.

Overall, cookies help us to provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

Cookies 'remember' you, either for the duration of your visit (using a 'session cookie') or for repeat visits (using a 'persistent cookie').

Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting ('first party cookies') or they may be set by other websites who run content on the page you are viewing ('third party cookies').

Why do we use cookies?

We use cookies for a variety of reasons including:

• To track visitor movements on the site so that we can find out what people are doing on the site and therefore improve the user experience.
• To keep users logged in.
• To make it easier for people to complete tasks that they have already completed previously.
• To make web pages load more quickly for returning visitors.

The cookies used by this website do not contain any of your personal information and we cannot identify you through the use of these cookies.

The following table describes which cookies are set and why:

What to do if you don't want cookies to be set

Some people don't like the idea of a website storing information on their computer or mobile device. It is possible to block some or all cookies and to also delete cookies that have already been set. However, if you do this you will lose some functions of that website.

When you first visit our website, you will be shown a notice explaining that we use cookies. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. If you accept, we will place the cookies used for the purposes described above onto your computer. To indicate that you have accepted cookies from our website, we shall show a check mark (✔) next to the link to this Cookie Policy page.

If you do not want to receive cookies, we will display a notice informing you that you will need to leave our website temporarily and adjust your browser settings to prevent accepting cookies prior to your return. Please note that, without cookies, this website may not work as expected. You can usually also modify your browser settings so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether.

If you would like to restrict or block web browser cookies that could be placed on your computer or device then you can do this via your browser settings. To find out more visit www.aboutcookies.org.