Hundreds of migrants stranded at a makeshift Greek camp are staging a protest near the border with Macedonia.

They're demanding the border be opened as they cling to hopes of making it into Europe despite new EU moves to send some refugees back.

Around 50,000 migrants and refugees remain trapped in Greece after a domino of border closures by countries along the Balkan route has prevented them from continuing their journey into wealthier European countries.

Many live in squalid conditions in tents at the border with Macedonia.

Some 400 protesters gathered at the camp overnight, waving white napkins and holding signs that read "open the border" as police formed a line to prevent the protesters from moving to the fence that separates the camp from Macedonia.