MADRID, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Spain's consumer prices rose by 1.2 percent in March when compared with the same month of a year earlier, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published on Friday by Spain's Statistical Office (INE).

The figure is 0.1 percentage point higher than the annual inflation rate of February, when prices increased by 1.1 percent. Spain's prices have been rising by 19 consecutive months year-on-year.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks rose by 1.4 percent, prices of transport increased by 1.4 percent and those items related to leisure and culture climbed by 1 percent.

Prices at hotels, cafes and restaurants increased by 2.2 percent while those related to housing rose by 1 percent.

On a month-to-month basis, Spain's prices rose by 0.1 percent from February to March.

Spain's State Secretary of Economy, Irene Garrido, said prices in the country continue to be stable and they are expected to slow down to an annual inflation rate of 1 percent in April. She highlighted the "positive impact on competitiveness and therefore, on the external sector, growth and job creation."

Meanwhile, one of the main Spanish unions spokesman, Fernando Lezcano, from CCOO, warned of the low level of consumption caused by low salaries that undermine both, consumption and the country's economic activity. Enditem