There has been a string of attacks on Christians in different provinces in Egypt since Mohammed Morsi was forced from office, with Coptic Christians saying they have been singled out for campaigning against him.

In the village of Dalga, near the central Egyptian city of Minya, a church was looted and destroyed and the priest, Father Ayoub Youssef, had to flee for his life.

He said Muslim neighbours helped his escape from the roof of his house.

''Had it not been for them, I would have been lynched," he said.

Ahmed Maher reports from Egypt.