basket of goods and services in May than they did a year ago.

That higher-than-normal rate of inflation for Bermuda was revealed by the latest figures released by the Ministry of Finance's Statistics Department on Friday.

But it also showed the annual rate of inflation was slightly lower than the record 2.4 percent measured in April.

Between April and May the rate of price increase edged up 0.1 percent.

The all-items index shifted from 110.0 index points in April to 110.1 in May.

The department issued a statement blaming the upward movement in the CPI primarily on higher transportation costs.

Airfare prices jumped 3.1 percent while gasoline prices went up one percent.

The average cost of motorcycles also increased during the month, but only by 0.6 percent.

Consumers also paid more for health care costs as prices in that sector rose 0.3 percent.

This stemmed from higher costs for both personal care products and services.

Toiletries, cosmetics and perfumes all went up slightly while facials jumped more than six percent and ladies' hairstyling services became 2.1 percent more expensive during the month.

In contrast prices went down slightly in the tobacco and liquor sector.

Although there was some upward movement in the cost of alcohol in the month this was outstripped by a drop in cigarettes prices of almost three percent.