London - Britain's annual rate of inflation rose to 4.7 per cent in August, its highest level since records began in 1997, the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday.

The figure relates to inflation measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which excludes mortgage interest payments. CPI inflation in July was 4.4 per cent.

If measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI), including mortgages, annual inflation fell in August to 4.8 per cent from 5 per cent in July.

Analysts said the August figures, if broken down, showed a disproportionate rise of costs for food and fuel of up to 16 per cent for households. (dpa)