The rate of inflation rose to 4.5% in August from 4.4% in July as clothing prices climbed, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) showed.

Clothing and footwear prices rose 3.7% overall between July and August – the biggest increase since records began in 1997, driven by women’s and men’s outerwear.

The process of furniture, household equipment and maintenance, up 2% was another big contributor to the increase along with gas and electricity bills.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation was were flat at 0.1% while there was a “large downward effect” from products such as games, toys and hobbies, especially games and consoles.

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