Cookie Information
A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.
We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.
Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.
We use the following cookies:
Cookie | Name | Purpose | Further Information |
Google Analytics | utma | Used to distinguish users and sessions. Created when javascript library executes and no existing utma exists. | Expires 2 years from set/update. |
utmb | Used to determine new sessions/visits. Created when javascript library executes and no existing utmb exists. | 30 mins from set/update | |
utmc | Used with utmb to determine whether user was in a new visit/session. Cookie operates in conjunction with utmb. | End of browser session. | |
utmz | Stores traffic source, i.e. user accessed site via link, search engine, or no previous page. Created when javascript library is executed and updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics. | 6 months from set/update |
Useful websites
- www.aboutcookies.org – This web site explains how you can delete and control the cookies that are stored on your computer.
- Google Policies & Principles – Information on Google cookies
- Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on