The rate of inflation dropped slightly on a month-to-month basis to 2.8 percent for May, according to the latest figures released by Government.

The Department of Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) report revealed that the rate was down from the 2.9 percent registered in April, but double that of 1.4 percent for the same period last year.

The average cost of goods and services in the CPI fell 0.3 percent between April 2010 and May 2010, with a basket of goods that cost $100 in April 2006 now costing $113.50.

The health and personal care items proved to be the main driver behind the annual inflation rate, rising 8.1 percent between May 2009 and May 2010, while the transport and vehicles, and food sectors up 6.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively.

On a month-to-month basis, the education, recreation and reading sector climbed 0.2 percent during May as a result of a 3.7 percent and 3.6 percent increase in the cost of leisure boats and televisions respectively.

Tenants paid more as the rent sector advanced 0.2 percent due to the 0.4 percent rise in rent-controlled properties. Rental units not subject to rent control were unchanged for the month.

Consumers, however, enjoyed some relief with the price of food edging down one percent in May, including lettuce dropping 8.3 percent, cantaloupes seven percent and lamb 3.4 percent.

Motorists and travellers also saw a decline in the transport and vehicles sector, which decreased 1.8 percent for the month, attributed to an 18.4 percent reduction in the price of foreign airfares and a 2.1 percent drop in he costs of motorcycles.

Smokers and drinkers, meanwhile, experienced a 0.1 percent fall in the tobacco and liquor sector, due mainly to a 0.5 percent decrease in the cost of beer.

Elsewhere, the household goods, services and communications, health and personal care, fuel and power, and clothing and footwear sectors remained unchanged during May 2010.