An armada of French fishermen launched smoke bombs at British boats in the English Channel in a skirmish over scallops, it has been reported.

People on board vessels also threw stones and rammed into boats off the Normandy coast.

More than 30 French boats gave chase to five British fishing vessels off the Baie de Seine, where the British are allowed to fish most of the year.

British are allowed to strip the scallop beds most of the year, however, the French are not allowed to harvest between October 1 and May 15, in a drive to boost numbers.

Historically an informal agreement allowed both sides to fish fairly, yet this year such a deal wasn’t in place, it was reported.

"The French went to contact the British to stop them working and they clashed with each other.

“Apparently there was stone-throwing, but no injuries," said Normandy fishing chief Dimitri Rogoff.

Mr Rogoff said "around 40" French boats had gathered overnight in protest at British "pillaging" of the scallop supply.

Footage from a local TV channel showed some of the boats ramming others, leaving holes in three vessels.

It showed some of the boats ramming others, leaving holes in three vessels.

Furious French fishermen also hurled smoke bombs and insults at British rivals.

Speaking after the incident on Monday night, Barrie Deas, chief executive of Britain's National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations appealed for calm.

"We are advising all parties to be calm as from the video clips some vessels are manoeuvring very dangerously.

"We have raised the matter with the British government and asked for protection for our vessels which are fishing legitimately.

"The deeper issues behind the clashes should be settled by talking around the table, not on the high seas where people could be hurt," he said.