What is a cookie?

A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website's server and only that server will be able to retrieve or read the contents of that cookie. Each cookie is unique to your web browser. It will contain some anonymous information such as a unique identifier and the site name and some digits and numbers.

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). Most websites you visit will use cookies in order to improve your user experience by enabling that website to remember you, either for the duration of your visit (using a session cookie) or for repeat visits (using a persistent cookie).

Cookies do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, storing your preferences, and generally improving your experience of a website. Cookies make the interaction between you and the website faster and easier. 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.

The use of cookies on websites

Due to changes in the law, websites must now get consent to send cookies to your computer or mobile device unless the cookies are strictly necessary to provide services to you. Unless the cookie is strictly necessary, you can withdraw your consent to our cookies at any time. Although, please remember that if you do not consent to our functionality cookies, parts of our website may not work.

How does this site use cookies?

Cookies enable us to identify your device, or you when you have visited the site. We use cookies that are strictly necessary to enable you to move around the site or to provide certain basic features. We use cookies to enhance the functionality of the website by storing your preferences, for example. We also use cookies to help us to improve the performance of our website to provide you with a better user experience. We don't sell the information collected by cookies, nor do we disclose the information to third parties, except where required by law.

The list below explains what cookies we use on our website, why we use them and whether they are strictly necessary, functionality or performance related cookies. Please note that any information collected by functionality and performance cookies on this website is done so anonymously. We also state whether a cookie is a persistent or session cookie.

"Strictly necessary cookies" - those essential to the function of the website

Your website session will launch with these automatically in place as they are essential to the function of the website.

Web server identification cookie (PHPSESSID). This cookie is generated so that the web server can identify users of the site and their behaviour on the site. This cookie is temporary and expires when you close your browser.

Content Management System cookie (CONCRETE5). This cookie is set by our Concrete5 content management system. It stores basic information for a user to maintain the website. No personal information is stored, and it is encrypted. This cookie is temporary and expires when you close your browser.

Content Management System cookie (CONCRETE5_csrf_token). This cookie is set by our content management system and is used as security prevention to protect against Cross-Site Request Forgery, used when a form is submitted. This is a persistent cookie and will be remembered by your browser for the next time you visit the website.

"Performance Cookies" - those not essential to the function, but essential in monitoring the performance of the website

These cookies will be introduced should you accept the use of cookies by ticking the box in the information bar that was delivered at the start of your website session. Performance cookies collect information about how visitors use a website. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor. Any information collected by these cookies is anonymous. We only use such information to improve our website.

Google Analytics (_utma, _utmb, _utmc and _utmz). These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited. For an overview of privacy at Google, visit http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ .

"Functionality cookies" – those that make your website experience better

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your log in details) and customised preference settings (e.g. text size). These cookies are also used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or using a map, which is what we use them for on our website. Information collected by "functionality cookies" cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. The "functionality cookies" on our website only collect anonymous information.

YouTube (APISID, HSID, PREF, SAPISID, SID, SSID, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE). These cookies are needed for playing videos on our website. They are used by YouTube to store user preferences when viewing pages containing embedded video content within our website. They also collect anonymous information, e.g. how often a video is played and whether it is shared by our visitors. For an overview of privacy at Google, visit http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ .

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

Some people find the idea of a website storing information on their computer or mobile device a bit intrusive, particularly when this information is stored and used by a third party without them knowing. If you prefer, it is possible to modify your browser so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether. You can also delete cookies that have already been set. But you need to be aware that you might lose some functions of that website.

Removing cookies

Some of the cookies we use are essential for parts of the site to operate and they are in place at the start of your website session. We also use a Google Analytics script which uses cookies. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but parts of the site will not work. But should you wish to delete or block cookies the following information may help.

Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout .