London, Sep 13 - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has tried to curry favour with the nation's grumpy trade union bosses over the prickly issue of public spending cuts - by serving them an Indian meal.

Brown dished up a curry lunch at his country residence in Chequers Friday for a summit with powerful union chiefs who are hot under the collar over plans to cut spending ahead of the next general elections.

Giving up the tried and tested menu of beer and sandwiches for such lunches, Brown served chicken curry and other Indian dishes for his 15 invited guests, the Daily Mail reported Sunday.

Brown is attempting to stem a threatened union revolt that could damage Labour prospects at the next general election due by June 3, 2010.

Some unions, angered by prospects of further job losses in recession-hit Britain, have reportedly threatened to cut donations to the ruling party. Last year, unions gave 11.4 million pounds - accounting for 60 percent of the party's income.

At the curry summit, Brown is said to have promised the unions he will not slash frontline school and hospital jobs in order to balance Britain's books despite a trillion pound debt.

'While the prime minister made it clear that there will be tough choices on public spending in future years, he reiterated his commitment to the role of public services and manufacturing in Britain's future growth,' a No.