France says its navy will intervene to avert a fresh “scallop war” between British and French fishermen, who have vowed to “launch another attack” if no deal is reached this week.

Violent clashes erupted last Tuesday when the British accused the French of ramming their vessels, firing flares and hurling stones in a highly dangerous and illegal attack.

Disgruntled French fishermen, whose UK rivals can dredge for scallops year round while they are barred from doing so during summer months, said they came under a violent counter-attack.

Stephane Travert, the French agriculture and fishing minister, said he had spoken to his British counterpart and that talks between the two sides were due on Wednesday after French vessels chased their UK rivals out of the Baie de Seine last week.

"We can't keep going on like this, we can't keep having skirmishes like that," Mr Travert told CNews. "The French Navy is ready to step in if more clashes break out, as well as carrying out checks."