A "cookie" describes the packets of information recorded and sent between servers and the World Wide Web - usually to identify a user.

This document attempts to explain which cookies we use on our web site, why we use them and what you can do to recognise and control them.

Why do we use cookies?

Primarily we use cookies to provide you with a better experience on our site - our attempt is to make sure you can get to the information you want as quickly as possible. Additionally, we use cookies to help us spend our marketing budget more effectively. This helps us keep our costs low and offer our customers the very best plans possible.

The international Chamber of Commerce guide for cookie categories explains the following types of cookies and their use:

Strictly Necessary

"These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website. Without these cookies services you have asked for, like shopping baskets or e-billing, cannot be provided."

Functionality

"These cookies allow the website to remember the choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For instance,a website may be able to provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing in a cookie the region in which you are currently located. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites."

Performance

"These cookies collect information about how visitors use a website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies don't collect information that identifies a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and are therefore anonymous. It is only used to improve how a website works."

Targeting

"These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator’s permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation."

What cookies do we use?

Strictly necessary/functionality

How can I manage my cookies?

You can manage your cookies by using your browser's privacy settings. The process is different for different internet browsers and we cannot hope to maintain an exhaustive list on our own. A comprehensive set of instructions for most internet browsers can be found here: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies/

Additionally, the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) have produced a tool for opting in or out of targeting cookies without changing you browser privacy settings. This tool can be found here: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices

There is a link to this section on every page of our web site. Our assumption is that, having been presented with all the information above, if you choose not to take any action to prevent it, such as changing you browser settings, then by continued use of our site you are consenting to use of the cookies described above.