Fishing rods have been used to calculate the UK inflation rate

The Office for National Statistics said gin, frozen turkey slices, and exercise bikes were on their way out "to reflect changing tastes and spending patterns".

The ONS changes its 650-strong basket of goods and services once a year to include more up-to-date items.

New items are added to the basket to represent increased areas of spending.

Changing fashions

Traditional hobby items such as fishing rods, guitars, and football boots, have been added, showing their long-lasting appeal.

Shopping basket IN Lamb mince Fresh turkey steaks Regional cheese Men's sports sweatshirt Electric heater Acoustic guitar Fishing rod Men's football boots Basic manicure OUT Gin Cheese slices Exercise bike Local newspaper Mini-disc player Wine glass Toaster Child's fleece jacket Frozen turkey 'Mothers' ruin' leaves the basket

The new basket of goods has been used to calculate the February inflation rate, announced on Tuesday.

However, other items have been deleted as spending on them has fallen.

Graham Bateman, deputy director of the Gin and Vodka Association, said the decision to drop gin had not come as a shock as it was out of favour among younger drinkers compared with vodka.

He said: "Gin is not losing its popularity and sales are still going up, albeit slowly. But over the past 10 years it has not had the sales increase of vodka."

Meanwhile, mini-discs, which only made the index in 2001 have been dropped, an indication of the popularity of MP3 players.

Manicures have been added to the basket, indicating the UK's attraction to beauty treatments.