UPDATE 1-France, Britain reach deal over scallop dispute - French official

"A deal has been reached and will be passed on to authorities in the two countries to be finalised," the official said, giving no details of the agreement.

French and British fisherman have reached an agreement to end a dispute over scallop fishing in the English Channel, an official with the French Ministry of Agriculture said on Monday.

"A deal has been reached and will be passed on to authorities in the two countries to be finalized," the official said, giving no details of the agreement.

The dispute, which arose as Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union, centered on the size of the boats that are allowed to fish in the Baie de Seine where scallops can be found in large quantities.

French fishermen had accused the British of unfairly catching scallops in the Baie de Seine during the summer when French boats were banned from doing so because of French regulations aimed at protecting shellfish stocks.

The clashes had seen some French and British fisherman throw rocks and other projectiles at each other. Earlier this month, France warned it would deploy the navy if necessary in what has been dubbed the "scallop wars".

Fishing rights are likely to become an increasingly sensitive issue as Britain negotiates its future trade relations with the EU after Brexit.