The Royal Navy’s ability to monitor the nation’s coastal waters after the UK leaves the European Union will be strengthened in order to protect Britain’s returning fishing rights, a Brexit minister has signalled.

Tory MPs urged the Government to ensure the Royal Navy has the resources it needs to end the days of the “armada” of European trawlers “plundering” Britain's fishing grounds.

Steve Baker, a senior minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union, has confirmed the UK “will strengthen our surveillance capability” to enforce Britain’s rights after withdrawal.

He also said the Government will make sure the Royal Navy has the “appropriate capacity” that is required to “patrol our waters and enforce regulations as required”.

The job of patrolling the fishery limits of England, Wales and Northern Ireland is currently performed by the Fishery Protection Squadron - the Royal Navy’s oldest frontline squadron - which currently comprises of three River Class offshore patrol vessels in UK waters.

Regaining full control of Britain’s fishing grounds was a key issue during the EU referendum in 2016 and Theresa May has insisted that the UK will be leaving the Common Fisheries Policy and “regain control over our domestic fisheries management rules and access to our waters”.