LONDON (AFP) - Radiohead's social media profiles went blank on Monday as speculation mounted that the British band was about to release a new album.

All posts, pictures and details from Radiohead's Twitter and Facebook accounts were deleted, along with tweets by lead singer Thom Yorke.

Radiohead is to give a series of concerts in six cities around the world from May 20 and will play eight festivals later in the year.

The band has not released any details of its next album other than to confirm it has been in the studio.

The new album would be the band's ninth, following 2011's The King Of Limbs.

Radiohead has sold more than 30 million albums since releasing its first in 1993.

In recent days, some Radiohead fans in Britain have received a mysterious leaflet in the post which said: "Sing The Song Of Sixpence That Goes Burn The Witch We Know Where You Live".

It was embossed with a logo associated with the band.