French fishermen have clashed with a number of British boats after a "scallop war" erupted in the English Channel.
Rocks, smoke bombs and other projectiles are reported to have been hurled at English and Scottish vessels during the confrontation in the early hours of Tuesday.
Reportedly outnumbered by the French one to seven, the British boats were allegedly attacked by the rival flotilla that had gathered overnight in protest over fishing rights.
French and British collide in the English Channel Source: Reuters Express
Dramatic footage of the incident broadcast by France 3 Normandie showed boats colliding as an object was thrown toward them.
Some of the British vessels are said to have later returned to UK harbours with signs of "criminal" damage.
The long-running dispute is over a scallop-rich area of the Channel that French fishermen are prevented from harvesting due to domestic environmental laws.
Dimitri Rogoff, head of a Normandy fishermen's association, said the violent scenes "demonstrate the exasperation of Normandy fishermen in a situation which persists and does not change".
"I urge everyone to avoid these situations that endanger men's lives," he said.
A UK government spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of aggression directed towards UK fishing vessels in an area of the English Channel not under UK control.
The Honeybourne 3 (right), a Scottish scallop dredger, in dock at Shoreham, West Sussex, following clashes with French fishermen in the early hours of Tuesday Source: Getty
"These vessels were operating in an area they are legally entitled to fish.
"The safety of the UK fleet is our highest priority and we will continue to monitor the presence and activities of vessels in the area.
"We are in contact with industry and the French administration to encourage meaningful dialogue and prevent further incidents from occurring."
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