UK's Brown won't be drawn on snap election

BOURNEMOUTH, England, Sep 23 (Reuters) Prime Minister Gordon Brown refused today to be drawn on speculation that he could call an early general election in Britain next month.

Asked in an interview with BBC television whether it was true his aides were advising him to go the polls in October, Brown said: ''No, I am just getting on with the job... my focus is on the work at hand.'' Three months after he took over as Prime Minister, Brown's Labour Party is far ahead of the opposition Conservative party in the opinion polls, boosting speculation he may take advantage to call an election this year or in early 2008.

Brown, who is in the south coast resort of Bournemouth for his party's annual conference, does not have to call a general election before 2010.

REUTERS CS RN1430