The rate of inflation edged up slightly again last month.

Government statistics show that the rate measured by the consumer prices index hit 4 per cent in June compared with 3.9 per cent in May.

The figure compares prices with those 12 months earlier.

Increased fuel costs, the fall in the value of the pound and increased costs to travel to and from the island by sea and air were major factors in the increase in the figure.

There were also rises in the costs at restaurants, hotels and most food was more expensive.

The cost of potatoes rose 11 per cent while fruit jumped 13.3 per cent.

Coffee was up 16 per cent in 12 months while tea rose 19.1 per cent.

Soft drinks, however, were 4.4 per cent cheaper while subscription to the internet had fallen by 9.8 per cent.

A basket of goods chosen after a survey in 2013 determine the figure.

In June last year, CPI inflation was running at minus 0.2 per cent.

Inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index is 8.4 per cent.