Cookies

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a simple text file, which usually contains the name of the website that created it, a time period for which it is valid, and a value which is often a randomly generated and unique number. If a site uses cookies, a cookie will be downloaded onto your device when you first visit that site. If you then return to the site, your device checks to see if it has a cookie that is relevant (contains the site name) and will then send that information back to the site.

How to manage cookies

We care about your privacy and want you to be in control of how cookies are used on our website. With our cookie control centre, you can choose which cookies you are comfortable with, ensuring you get a personalised experience while respecting your privacy. You can choose to block all cookies, accept all cookies, or only accept certain types of cookies.

An alternative is to set your preferences in your browser to block cookies on all websites. Find out how to do this at All About Cookies.org. It is worth noting that if you change your browser settings and reject cookies it may limit your use of websites.

More information about managing cookies is available on the Information Commissioner's Office website.

Our use of cookies

We use cookies to measure how people use the website, so it can be updated and improved based on user needs. Cookies on our website are not used to identify you personally.

The type of cookies we use:

• are fundamental to the use of the site (known as a session cookie)
• help us evaluate and improve our site usage and plan improvements using Google Analytics (analytical cookies)
• enhance the site. We sometimes use photo and video content from other websites which may present cookies from these sites.