French fishermen, blockading the cross-Channel ports over increasing fuel prices, could scupper the Little Ship Club’s longest running rally to Calais this weekend.

Up to 300 boats have been known to attend the get-together and yachtsmen from Suffolk, Essex, Kent and the South Coast are keeping an eye on the news bulletins to see what happens.

Yesterday fishing boats blocked entry to Calais and Boulogne causing ferry operators to cancel crossings producing a tailback of trucks and cars on roads to Dover.

Since November diesel in France has risen from 32p to 55p a litre. In Paris 200 fishermen clashed with police as the protest grew.