IP addresses and cookies
We may collect information about your computer, including where available your IP address, operating system and browser type, for system administration and to report aggregated information to our advertisers. This is statistical data about our users' browsing actions and patterns, and does not identify any individual.
For the same reason, we may obtain information about your general internet usage by using a cookie file which is stored on the hard drive of your computer. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. If you visit our site again, it is recognised as a repeat visit by means of the cookie. The cookie contains a unique number and therefore no personal data.
Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to help us to improve our site and to deliver a better and more personalised service. Cookies enable us:
- To estimate our audience size and usage pattern.
- To store information about your preferences, and so allow us to customise our site according to your individual interests.
- To speed up your searches.
- To recognise you when you return to our site.
Types of cookies
There are different types of cookies:
Session cookies are temporary and are deleted as soon as you close your browser. These facilitate various tasks such as allowing a website to identify that a user of a particular device is navigating from page to page, supporting website security or basic functionality.
Persistent cookies are stored on your computer until they expire or you remove them. Many are built with automatic deletion dates to help ensure your hard drive doesn't get overloaded. They allow a website to remember your actions and preferences.
Third - party cookies are owned and created by an independent company, usually a company providing a service to the owner of the website.
Strictly necessary cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features. Without these cookies services you have asked for, such as applying for products cannot be provided. These cookies don't gather information about you for the purposes of marketing.
Performance cookies collect information about how visitors use a website. These cookies don't collect information that identifies a visitor although they may collect the IP address of the device used to access the site. All information these cookies collect is anonymous and is only used to improve how a website works, the user experience and to optimise our advertising.
Targeting cookies collect information about your browsing habits. They are usually placed by advertising networks. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as media publishers. These organisations do this in order to provide you with targeted adverts more relevant to you and your interests.
By using our website you agree that we can place cookies on your device. If you continue to browse our website we assume that you are happy to receive all cookies served by our site. You can block these cookies using your browser settings, however this may mean that you are unable to access certain parts of our site.
How to control and delete cookies
You may wish to delete cookies by activating the setting on your browser which allows you to refuse the setting of cookies. For comprehensive information on cookies and deletion of cookies please visit: www.allaboutcookies.org/manage-cookies. However, if you select this setting you may be unable to access certain parts of our site. Unless you have adjusted your browser setting so that it will refuse cookies, our system will issue cookies when you log on to our site.