What are cookies?

Cookies are short text files that are automatically stored on your computer when you visit certain web pages. They may be used for various purposes, such as to remember and greet by name someone when they return to a site, or to keep track of what is in a shopping basket, or to remember items that have been looked at, so that they can be recalled on the next visit. More details are in Our cookies policy.

To use our site fully, you need to have cookies enabled. Most web browsers have cookies enabled by default. If necessary, see Managing cookies for help to turn them on. If you do not wish to enable our cookies, you will still be able to browse the site, but some elements may not function.

Cookies cannot harm your computer

The objective of our cookies is to help us to make your browsing more enjoyable and efficient. We do not use our cookies to store personally identifiable information, such as credit card details, but we do (by using specialist services such as Google Analytics – see Our cookies policy.) use encrypted information to understand how visitors use our website, and to identify and resolve errors, so that we can continually improve the visitor experience.

Third party cookies

We liaise closely with carefully selected and monitored suppliers who may set their own cookies during your visit, for marketing purposes, such as to show you products or services based on what you appear to be interested in. You may opt out of these via the Network Advertising Initiative website, which opens in a new window. (Please note that we are not responsible for the content of external websites.)

More about cookies

To find out more about cookies and how to manage them, visit www.aboutcookies.org. This will open in a new window. (Please note that we are not responsible for the content of external websites.)

Our cookies policy

We can only provide certain personalised features of this website by using cookies, so to make full use of our website, your computer, tablet or mobile phone will need to accept them. Most web browsers normally have cookies enabled by default.

Our cookies do not store sensitive information such as your name, address or payment details. Instead, they hold a ‘key’ that is associated with this information once you have signed in. If you would prefer to restrict, block or delete cookies from this or any other website, you can do so via your web browser. See Managing cookies for more information.

Here are details of the main cookies we use, and what we use them for:

Google Analytics

When we use Google Analytics, it sets a cookie in order to evaluate the use of our website and compile reports for us about activity on the website. Google stores the information collected by the cookie on servers in the United States. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. By using our website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Managing cookies

If cookies are not enabled on your computer, it will restrict the quality and scope of your experience on our website. You can enable cookies via your web browser.

To enable cookies

If you are not sure which web browser you use to access the internet…

PC: click 'Help' at the top of your browser window and select 'About'

Mac: with the browser window open, click on the Apple menu and select 'About'

PC - how to enable cookies

Google Chrome

1. Click 'Tools' at the top of your browser window and select ‘Options’
2. Click the 'Under the Hood' tab, locate the 'Privacy' section, and select 'Content settings'
3. Select 'Allow local data to be set'

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0

1. Click 'Tools' at the top of your browser window and select 'Internet options', then click the 'Privacy' tab
2. To enable cookies, set your Privacy level to Medium or below
3. To disable cookies set your Privacy level above Medium

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click 'Tools' at the top of your browser window and select ‘Options’
2. Select the Privacy icon
3. Click on Cookies, then select 'allow sites to set cookies'

Safari

1. Click the Cog icon at the top of your browser window and select 'Preferences'
2. Click ‘Security' and check 'Block third-party and advertising cookies'
3. Click 'Save'

Mac - how to enable cookies

Google Chrome

1. Click 'Tools' at the top of your browser window and select ‘Options’
2. Click the 'Under the Hood' tab, locate the 'Privacy' section, and select 'Content settings'
3. Select 'Allow local data to be set'

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 in OSX

1. Click 'Explorer' at the top of your browser window and select 'Preferences'
2. Scroll down until you see 'Cookies' under Receiving Files
3. select 'Never Ask'

Safari in OSX

1. Click 'Safari' at the top of your browser window and select Preferences'
2. Click 'Security' then 'Accept cookies'
3. Select 'Only from site you navigate to'

Mozilla and Netscape in OSX

1. Click 'Mozilla' or 'Netscape' at the top of your browser window and select 'Preferences'
2. Scroll down until you see cookies under 'Privacy & Security'
3. Select 'Enable cookies for the originating web site only'

Opera

1. Click 'Menu' at the top of your browser window and select 'Settings'
2. Select 'Preferences' and then select the 'Advanced' tab
3. Then select 'Accept cookies'

Browsers not listed above

Please check in your computer documentation or online help files.

To disable cookies

If wish to remove cookies you can use your browser to do this. Each browser is different so check the ‘Help’ menu of your particular browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences.