FISHERMEN are set to go to court over the Government's alleged failure to secure a fairer deal for smaller operators.

The Colchester-based New Under Ten Fishermen's Association (Nutfa), representing the UK's sub-ten metre fleet, had given the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) until Friday to come up with a revised quota system.

But with that deadline now passed, the organisation has instructed Thomas Cooper, the legal team which, during the 1990s, won a landmark case against the-then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, plus £55 million compensation for its clients.

Other action could include an ombudsman inquiry, a nationwide media campaign and even port blockades. If the last of these goes ahead, Harwich and West Mersea could be affected.

Company secretary and treasurer Andrew Craig said: "Our legal team has advised this association that they consider this to be a clear case of discrimination.

"If successful, compensation claims may also be possible for any under-tens that have suffered financial loss, for any reason, because of Defra's actions, including shell fishermen.

"These claims would go back many years and are expected to be substantial."

According to Nutfa, Spain is one of the nations that receives half the UK's quota, with 97 per cent of the rest going to the country's bigger boats.