The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the FRS 102 Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2016).

The finance element of the rental payment is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obligation outstanding in each period.

Current tax, including UK corporation tax and foreign tax, is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the Balance Sheet date.

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.

Proposed dividends are only included as liabilities in the financial statements when their payment has been approved by the shareholders prior to the balance sheet date.

Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at historical cost or valuation less depreciation and any provision for impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following basis:

Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the Balance Sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.

Short-term employee benefits are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

Long-term employee benefits are measured at the present value of the benefit obligation at the reporting date.

Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the Company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Interest income is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis and taken to profit and loss account, by reference to the principal outstanding at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Finance costs are charged to the Profit and Loss Account over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts, except where the effect of discounting would be immaterial. In such cases the receivables are stated at cost less impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.

Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in creditors: amounts falling due within one year.

Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. The other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the transaction price including transaction costs. Subsequently, they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less impairment.

Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the fair value of cash or other resources received or receivable, net of direct issue costs. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the Company.