LONDON, Aug 1: Officials in Britain's governing Labour Party have been put on alert to expect an early election, possibly as soon as October, The Times reported on Wednesday, quoting a senior party official.

The daily quoted Martin Salter, Labour vice-chairman, as saying: “I can confirm that the party has been put on alert for an early election that could take place as soon as this autumn.” Salter later told Britain's domestic news agency that there was not an official timetable in place.

He added: “We have been put on an election footing and preparations are under way so that we are ready for an election whenever the prime minister chooses to call it.” But a Downing Street official denied that the reason Labour was drumming up funds was because Brown wanted to call an early election.—AFP