Use of cookies

A cookie is a small text file which is placed onto your computer (or other electronic device) when you access our website. We use cookies on this website to:

▪ recognise you whenever you visit this website (this speeds up your access to the website as you do not have to log in each time);

▪ obtain information about your preferences, online movements and use of the internet;

▪ carry out research and statistical analysis to help improve our content, products and services and to help us better understand our customer requirements and interests;

▪ target our marketing and advertising campaigns more effectively by providing interest-based advertisements that are personalised to your interests; and

▪ make your online experience more efficient and enjoyable.

The information we obtain from our use of cookies will not usually contain your personal data. Although we may obtain information about your computer or other electronic device such as your IP address, your browser and/or other internet log information, this will not usually identify you personally.

In certain circumstances we may collect personal information about you—but only where you voluntarily provide it (eg by completing an online form) .The exception is where the cookie is essential in order for us to provide you with a service you have requested (eg to contact you where you have requested further information).

Third-party cookies

We work with third party suppliers who may also set cookies on our website, for example Google Analytics. These third party suppliers are responsible for the cookies they set on our site. If you want further information please go to the website for the relevant third party. You will find additional information in the table below.

Description of cookies

Google Analytics

 This is a web analytics service provided by Google Inc which uses cookies to show us how visitors found and explored our site, and how we can enhance their experience. It  provides us with information about the behaviour of our visitors (e.g. how long they stayed on the site, the average number of pages viewed) and also tells us how many visitors we have had.

Session Cookie

This is a cookie that is erased when you closes the web browser. The session cookie is stored in temporary memory and is not retained after the browser is closed. Session cookies do not collect information from your computer. The cookie will store information in the form of a session identification that does not personally identify the user.

Secure Cookie

This is a cookie which is transmitted over an encrypted HTTP connection. When setting the cookie, the Secure attribute instructs the browser that the cookie should only be returned to the application over encrypted connections.

How to turn off cookies

If you do not want to accept cookies, you can change your browser settings so that cookies are not accepted. If you do this, please be aware that you may lose some of the functionality of this website. For further information about cookies and how to disable them please go to the Information Commissioner’s webpage on cookies: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/.