Oct 1 (Reuters) - Annual inflation in Peru decelerated to 5.04% in September to hit its lowest level in more than two years, according to official figures published on Sunday, though consumer prices remained some way above the central bank's target rate. Data from national statistics agency INEI showed the key index based on the metropolitan region of Lima slowed to its lowest level since August 2021, when it stood at 4.95%. On a month-to-month basis the Lima Consumer Price Index, Peru's inflation benchmark, inched up 0.02% in September, well below the 0.38% increase in August. The figures are a boost to Peru's bid to wrestle inflation back to the central bank's official target of 2%, plus or minus one percentage point. Reporting by Diego Ore in Mexico City and Jose Joseph in Bengaluru Editing by Drazen Jorgic and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: INEI, Diego Ore, Jose Joseph, Drazen Jorgic, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Lima Consumer, Diego, Thomson Locations: Peru decelerated, Lima, Mexico City, Bengaluru