The rate of inflation in the Isle of Man has dropped significantly.

Government statistics show that prices in February rose by 1.9% compared with 12 months earlier.

The January figure was 2.6%.

Rent rose by less than inflation at 0.2%, electricity by 1.7%, there was no change for gas, while the cost of coal and solid fuels fell by 0.8%.

However, oil and other fuels rose by 6.7%.

The figures show that while sea travel rose by 7.7%, the cost of air travel was 11.3% cheaper than a year earlier.

On average, food was 0.1% more expensive. The biggest rise was for vegetables, which jumped 9.4%. Tea was 10.9% cheaper.

One of the biggest rises over the year will have hit those with children at preschool hard. Costs soared by 9%.