Inflation fell to 4% in March, down from 4.4% in February.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) showed clothing and footwear prices rose overall by 1.1% between February and March, compared with a 1.8% increase a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. The main downward effect in the category came from items such as men’s outerwear.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices overall fell by 1.4%, the largest ever fall for a February to March period. The main downward effect came from fruit, bread and cereals.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks, recreation and culture and air transport were among the principal contributors to the downward movment in the CPI inflation rate.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI), which includes mortgage interest payments fell to 5.3% in March, down from 5.5% in February.