Another Coptic Christian has been shot dead in Egypt's troubled North Sinai region, according to Egyptian security officials.

Bassem Attallah, 35, was identified as the victim and the attack was carried out by three masked gunmen. 

The murder took place on Saturday and bears the hallmarks of an Islamic State killing, though so far no group has claimed responsibility.

It is the latest in a series of attacks which has seen more than 100 Christians killed in bombings and shootings in just over a year.

Nine people died last month when a gunman opened fire outside a church in Cairo.

Egypt's President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi has taken steps to improve security for Christians and has been outspoken in his commitment to inter-religious harmony. However, in rural and isolated parts of the country Christians are very vulnerable and the militants are able to operate with impunity.

The Coptic Orthodox Church, part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches, is by far the largest Christian presence in Egypt with up to 15 million adherents. The Church recently consecrated a new cathedral in the new administrative capital being built near Cairo in a service attended by Al Sisi and representatives of Egypt's Islamic institutions.