"It is only right that we do something to help others who are less fortunate," she said.

"It makes the village look like we all do not care what happens to others and only look after ourselves. That is not how it is."

Andreas Glarner, the town's right-wing mayor, denies the vote was motivated by racism and said the town rejected the quota because it was not told whether the refugees were Syrians or "economic migrants from other countries."

"Yes, the refugees from Syria have to be helped and they are better served by being helped in the camps nearer their home," he said.

"Money could be sent to help them, but if we are housing them here it sends out the wrong message.

"Others will come and risk their lives crossing the ocean and paying people smugglers to bring them."