The owner of a self-service restaurant in Fujian province that trusts diners to pay what they want says he is running up a huge financial loss - as many people opt to pay nothing at all.

Five Loaves and Two Fish was opened in downtown Fuzhou in August, offering coffee, cakes and hot dishes. It has five round tables and six workers to cook and clean.

Patrons are required to wash their own bowls and plates after eating, and then place money in one of two boxes in a corner.