THE history of Britain's fishing relations is mired in conflict - from the cod wars against Iceland to EC battles over catch quotas, reports Jennie Dennett.

But what must rank as one of Europe's friendliest fishing encounters took place at Bardsea when a coachload of Belgian fishermen, fresh from a ferry-ride into Hull, was enthusiastically greeted by Ulverston's town crier Alf Jarvis before being invited to fish for British shrimps from Morecambe Bay.

The group from Oostduinkerke, near Ostend, was over here as guests of Ulverston firm Furness Fish, Poultry and Game on a mission to inspect modern shrimp fishing from a tractor.

Back home they catch their shrimps Flemish fashion - using a strong horse, some ropes and a big net.

"We're here to see how you do it," said Oostduinkerke mayor Marc Vanden Bussche, who added that he was already enjoying his trip out of the Low Country, having seen some the Lakeland fells.

Six of Oostduinkerke's fishermen had made the journey accompanied by more than 40 townsfolk enjoying a more social exchange.

Belgian visitor Christiane Moncarey, a tourist information worker, said the fisherman had wanted to make the trip since 1995 after seeing tractor-borne shrimp fishing on a French TV programme.

However, she stressed that they were there just for fun and were not after Furness shrimpers' industrial secrets.

" It isn't possible to use tractors because the tides are higher," she said, explaining that the fishermen's horses were safe because they could get into deeper water than tractors.

The fishy exchange was made possible when one of them found the Ulverston firm - which is famed for its authentic Morecambe Bay potted shrimps - on the internet and arranged a visit.

Furness Fish, Game and Poultry manager Les Salisbury was more than happy to make their dreams come true and escorted the group into prime shrimping territory a couple of miles out into the shallow tidal waters off Bardsea.

The firm later laid on a barbecue for the group to tuck into their catch.

Following a quick Lake District tour, the fishermen and friends were moving on to Yorkshire to pursue the Belgium passion for beer with a visit to the Black Sheep brewery near Masham.