How we use Cookies

What is a cookie?

Cookies are small information files used by websites to distinguish between individual computer terminals so that the pages and functionality of that website can be correctly and securely delivered.

Cookies are fundamental to providing user-friendly online services. The most common functions of e-commerce would be impossible without cookies.

There are two types of cookies that can be used in the Internet that you should be aware of – Session cookies and Persistent cookies. You can read more about these (and how to switch them off) at http://allaboutcookies.org.

Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser and are usually not saved to your computer’s hard disk. Session cookies are used to:

  • hold some types of non-private information you provide while using an interactive tool on the website
  • identify that you have logged in to the site
  • hold your search criteria while you are carrying out a search of the website
  • collect anonymous information on website usage to improve the site and service

Persistent cookies remain on your computer for a specified time and so are saved to your computer’s hard disk. Persistent cookies are used to:

  • identify that a registered user has returned
  • securely remember your login User ID – if you have asked to do so
  • understand how you use our site and obtain information on website usage

 

Cookie use on our site

We only use Session cookies on this site. They are anonymous cookies that uniquely identify the machine you are using to visit the site for the period of your visit. It ensures we send you the correct information securely as you navigate around the site. It is deleted as you close your browser. It cannot track you journey once you leave the site.

General functional cookie

Name What is looks like What is does
PHPSESSID Value ok8hkiuvtgbjrnj45skl9a74c5 This single session cookie contains all the information required to deliver the functionality of the website you are visiting. It does not gather personal data and is required only for the duration of your visit.It allows the authorised visitor to login to secure areas, a shopper to collect items in a basket and purchase them or carry out searches on the site as appropriate.
Expires At End Of Session

Google Analytics cookies

Name What is looks like What is does
__utma Value 156927724.1225493287.
1328722033.1328722033.
1329311517.2
Google AnalyticsIdentifying Unique VisitorsEach unique browser that visits a page on your site is provided with a unique ID via the __utma cookie. In this way, subsequent visits to your website via the same browser are recorded as belonging to the same (unique) visitor. Thus, if a person interacted with your website using both Firefox and Internet Explorer, the Analytics reports would track this activity under two unique visitors. Similarly if the same browser were used by two different visitors, but with a separate computer account for each, the activity would be recorded under two unique visitor IDs. On the other hand, if the browser happens to be used by two different people sharing the same computer account, one unique visitor ID is recorded, even though two unique individuals accessed the site.
Expires Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:11:57 GMT

 

Name What is looks like What is does
__utmb Value 156927724.1.10.1329311517 Google AnalyticsDetermining Visitor SessionThe Google Analytics tracking for ga.js uses two cookies to establish a session. If either of these two cookies are absent, further activity by the user initiates the start of a new session.
Expires Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:41:57 GMT

 

Name What is looks like What is does
__utmz Value 156927724.1328722033.1.1.utmcsr=
t.co|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=
referral|utmcct=/XWQW3R83
Google AnalyticsTracking Traffic Sources & NavigationWhen visitors reach your site via a search engine result, a direct link, or an ad that links to your page, Google Analytics stores the type of referral information in a cookie. This cookie gets updated with each subsequent page view to your site; thus it is used to determine visitor navigation within your site.
Expires Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:11:57 GMT

You can find out more about cookies and how they may be deleted or blocked at www.allaboutcookies.org

View our privacy policy.