An actuator arranged to be movable between an extended condition and a compressed condition and being biased to an intermediate condition between and distinct from the extended condition and the compressed condition. The actuator includes a damping device arranged to define the damping coefficient of the actuator. The damping device is arranged to provide a relatively low damping coefficient when the actuator is in a first condition distinct from the intermediate condition, and a relatively high damping coefficient when the actuator is in a second condition, the second condition being distinct from the first condition and being equal or adjacent to the intermediate condition