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That came as higher prices for some items were offset by declines in other areas, such as petrol, airfares and clothing.

As for services inflation, part of the reason it rose in April was a spike in airfares because of the late Easter holidays this year.

Reflecting diminished demand to visit California, airfares from Germany have fallen too.

Contestants can only spend the cash equivalent of an airfare between the start and finish points, but the winners take home a £20,000 prize.

As budget airlines struggle with profitability and major airlines cater increasingly to high-end customers, inexpensive airfare could be harder to come by, experts say.