How we use cookies
A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added, and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.
We may use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.
You do have a choice
Your first visit to our web site will set your preference level and we will comply with this level during all subsequent visits initiated from that device. From your browser you can further manage cookies and any settings stored on your device. In addition to the cookies listed further down this section, we also use a cookie to remember the preferences you choose when accessing our web site. Please bear in mind that the preferences you choose are device specific – so if you use different devices you will need to update your preferences.
The cookies we use
The cookies used on our website fall into one of three categories: strictly necessary, analytical / performance and functional.
- Strictly necessary cookies - These are cookies that are required for the operation of our site. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our site.
- Analytical / performance cookies - These allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and see how many visitors move around our website when they are connected. This helps us to improve the way our site operates - for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
- Functionality cookies - These are used to recognise you when you return to our site. This enables us to personalise our content for you and remember your preferences – for example, your choice of language or region.
Managing cookies
There are ways you can control and manage cookies on your device. Please remember that any settings you change will not just affect the cookies we use. These changes will apply to all websites you visit (unless you choose to block cookies from particular sites).
Most browsers will allow you to choose the level of privacy settings you want. You can block all cookies or accept all cookies or pick a setting somewhere in between. This range lets you control your cookie settings, so you can:
See what cookies you've got and delete them on an individual basis
- Block third party cookies
- Block cookies from specific sites
- Block all cookies from being set
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser
Deleting cookies means that any preference settings you have made on a website will be lost. If you’ve set your preferences to opt out of cookies, this setting will be lost too, as that information is stored in a cookie. Blocking all cookies means functionality on our websites will be lost, as described above. We don’t recommend turning all cookies off when using our websites. If you wish to reduce your cookie settings at any time – for example, if you accept all cookies but later decide you don’t want a certain type of cookie – you’ll need to use your browser settings to remove any third-party cookies dropped on your previous visit.
Summary
Overall, cookies help us 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. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.
