What is a cookie?

Cookies are small data files that many internet sites automatically download to a user’s computer, phone or tablet’s hard disk. They are primarily used in helping web sites recognise a user that has visited the web site previously such as simplifying the logging on process for registered users. They can store account and password information. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies. The Site uses cookies so that we can better service your return to the Site (further details on the exact cookies and their purposes are set out below).

You do not have to accept cookies, but without accepting them you may experience reduced Site functionality. If you should wish to reject the cookies then please read the information that came with your browser software to see how you can turn off the automatic download feature, should you so wish. For more information about cookies, including how to set your internet browser to reject cookies, please go to www.allaboutcookies.org.

What cookies will the site use and for what purposes?

The Site uses a number of different cookies to improve the user experience and help us see what is popular:

  • Single session cookies. These enable the Site to keep track of your movement from page to page in order to ensure that you will not be asked for the same information you have previously given during your visit to the Site. Cookies allow you to proceed through the Site quickly and easily without having to authenticate or reprocess each new area you visit. We may use the cookies to analyse user behaviour, such as which pages have been visited during the session, in order to improve your overall experience, for example enabling us to determine and display more relevant content.
  • Remember me cookies. These cookies enable the Site to remember your personal preferences such as log in details in order to improve the user experience for example by avoiding you having to re-enter these details on each visit to the Site.
  • Remember my language cookies. These enable the Site to retain your language preference for future visits in order to improve the user experience. In addition, this cookie will set the language in which the non-content aspects of emails received from the Site will be displayed in.
  • Persistent cookies. These cookies enable us to collect information such as number of visitors to the site and pages visited in order to analyse user behaviour. This information is collected in an anonymous form and will be collated with similar information received from other users to enable us to compile reports in order to develop and improve user experience by displaying more tailored and relevant content for example.  

How long will the cookies remain on my computer?  

The cookies will remain in the cookies file of your browser after the closing of the browser, and will become active again when the Site is reopened, until removed.  The cookie(s) can be deleted at any time by you. The cookie(s) will not collect any information when you are not accessing the Site.  

Third party cookies  

The single session and persistent cookies are provided on our behalf by a trusted third party service provider to aid in the reporting of user behaviour on the Site. This behaviour is analysed to provide an improved user experience. The information collected is not linked to personally identifiable information.

We also use Google Analytics help us analyse the use of the Site.  Google Analytics generate statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored by users’ web browsers on their computer.  The information generated relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of the website.  Google hold this information and provide us access to it.  Google’s privacy policy is available at http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html