This website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of this website. This helps to provide you with a good experience when you browse this website and also allows me to improve the site.

A cookie is a small text file which is placed onto your computer (or other electronic device) when you access my website. 

Cookies are used on this website to: 

• recognise you whenever you visit this website (this speeds up your access to the website as you do not have to log in each time);
• obtain information about your preferences, online movements and use of the internet;
• carry out research and statistical analysis to help improve content, products and services and to help me better understand visitor requirements and interests;
• target marketing and advertising campaigns more effectively by providing interest-based advertisements that are personalised to your interests; and
• make your online experience more efficient and enjoyable.

The information obtained from use of cookies will not usually contain your personal data. Although I may obtain information about your computer or other electronic device such as your IP address, your browser and/or other internet log information, this will not usually identify you personally. In certain circumstances I may collect personal information about you—but only where you voluntarily provide it (e.g. by completing an online form).

The following types of cookies are used:

• Strictly necessary cookies. These are cookies that are required for the operation of the website. 
• Analytical or performance cookies. These allow me to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around this website when they are using it. This helps to improve the way the website works, 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 this website. This enables me to personalise the content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).
• Targeting cookies. These cookies record your visit to this website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. This information is used to make this website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. 

Apart from in the case of strictly necessary cookies, I will need your consent in order to use cookies on this website.

First and third party cookies

First party cookies are cookies set by this website. Third party cookies are cookies on this website that are set by another website, such as where there are adverts on this website, use a mail service or use Facebook pixels so that I can show you relevant content when you are on Facebook.

I may use third party cookies on this website and details of these are included below. 

More detail about cookies

Below is more information about some of the cookies used and why:

Cookie: Cookie preference

Name: civicCookieControl

Description: This cookie is used to remember a user’s choice about cookies on this website. Where users have previously indicated a preference, that user’s preference will be stored in this cookie.

Cookie: Google Analytics

Name: _utma; _utmb; _utmc; _utmz

Description: These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use the site. The information is used to compile reports and to help 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.

Cookie: Security breach notification form cookie

Name: ASP.NET_SessionId

Description: This cookie is essential for the breach notification form – the form that public electronic communications service providers use to notify the ICO of a security breach – to operate. It is set only for those people using the form. This cookie is deleted when you close your browser. Visit the Microsoft website for more information.

How to alter cookie settings

If you do not want to accept cookies, you can also change your browser settings so that cookies are not accepted. If you do this, please be aware that you may lose some of the functionality of this website. 

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

For further information about cookies and how to disable them please go to the Information Commissioner’s webpage on cookies: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/.

Except for essential cookies, all cookies will expire promptly.