Eight US soldiers were killed in bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan, say Nato-led forces.

An Afghan civilian was also killed in what were called "multiple complex IED attacks" - or improvised bombs.

The deaths so far have made October the deadliest month for American forces in the eight-year war in Afghanistan.

On Monday 11 soldiers were among 14 Americans killed in multiple air crashes. In total 55 US troops have died in October, the Pentagon says.

Like many deaths in Afghanistan, Tuesday's bloodshed was blamed on the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose the biggest threat to foreign forces operating in the country.

"Additionally, several service members were wounded in these incidents and were transported to a regional medical facility for treatment," said a statement from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).

Military spokesmen said there had been two attacks in the south of the country - one which killed seven soldiers and the civilian, and a second attack that killed one soldier.