The rate of inflation slowed slightly last month to 10.1 per cent, official figures revealed on Wednesday.
This is the third successive monthly fall in the inflation rate but the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remains close to 40-year highs and is not expected to fall more significantly until the summer.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said falling petrol and diesel prices contributed to the slight decline. However, the ONS said this was offset by a surge in the price of alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
