Police using riot batons have clashed with refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos, beating one unconscious and leaving several others injured.

A group of around 300 refugees protested yesterday morning against what they say is a failure by local authorities to process them quickly enough towards mainland Europe.

The demonstration largely involved Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, who told reporters they had received no help from the Greek government and were running out of money.

One refugee was taken away in an ambulance after the clashes, which were the third such incident in as many days.

The Greek islands are at the centre of the growing refugee crisis, as one of the first landing points for boats sailing over from Turkey.

On Saturday, a newborn baby died as his parents arrived in a boat on the shores of the island of Agathonisi. The boy was taken to a hospital on the nearby island of Samos, where he was pronounced dead.

More than 13,000 people have been moved to the Greek mainland from the islands since last Monday, the country's coastguard said, including a ferry of 2,500 on Saturday alone.

In Lesbos, the mayor of the island's main town demanded the government to more to address the situation.

“An island of 85,000 people has taken on the burden of a huge humanitarian crisis,” Spyros Galinos said. “We are calling the people of Lesbos not to participate in the upcoming polls and we are clearly stating our intention not to set up ballot boxes, if there is no immediate action.”