Retail prices last month rose by 1.01 per cent over the same month last year, pushing the 12-month inflation moving average to 1.03 per cent and annual rate to 1.18 per cent.

The National Statistics Office said this was mainly because of a 3.72 rise in clothing and footwear because of seasonal price increases.

Similarly, higher airfares pushed transport and communication up by 2.92 per cent while recreational services and culture rose by 0.8 per cent.

Lower prices were registered in food, which fell by 0.08 per cent because of cheaper fruit, and other goods and services, which dropped by 0.06 per cent because of less expensive household goods.