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).

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.

Current asset investments are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

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 the 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.

Short-term debtors are measured at the 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.

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.

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