Saudi-backed forces have shot dead a teenage Bahraini demonstrator, after clashes erupted between regime troops and anti-government protesters in the town of Sitra south of Manama.

Saudi-backed forces have shot dead a teenage Bahraini demonstrator, after clashes erupted between regime troops and anti-government protesters in the town of Sitra south of Manama.

According to reports, security forces used their vehicle to run over the protester after shooting at him.

Sayyed Hashem Saeed, 15, "was hit in the head," and a man who rushed to help him during Saturday's clash was struck in the thigh, said the Al-Wefaq opposition movement in its statement.

The teenager was rushed to a clinic in Sitra south of Manama and then transferred to a hospital in the capital where he died despite efforts to keep him alive, it added.

The shooting comes as anti-regime peaceful demonstrations were held in several villages across Bahrain.

A former lawmaker from the opposition group had said earlier that Bahraini riot police broke up a peaceful demonstration by people who had responded to a call to protest outside their homes on Saturday.

In an attempt to quell protests, regime forces used tear gas and fired shots at the crowds. Numerous protesters were injured and dozens were arrested.

Shiite-led mass demonstrations which rocked Bahrain earlier 2011 were violently crushed by government forces using live ammunition and heavy-handed tactics.

A special commission appointed to probe the crackdown on the month-long anti-government protests that erupted in March published a report last month denouncing the "excessive and unjustified use of force" by the authorities.

At least 53 people were killed in the unrest and five detainees who were tortured to death while in custody. Hundreds were also injured.