ALONG with scanning the shelves for the latest bargain whilst you shop you can now hire a girlfriend too, as long as you’re in China.

The Vitality City shopping complex in Heyuan City in South China's Guangdong Province is offering up women who will pose as your girlfriend for the princely sum of around 30p for an hour, which could very well just be a huge publicity stunt for the centre.

5 A shopping centre in China is offering the chance to hire a girlfirend Credit: AsiaWire

At the centre, 15 women stand on podiums, it is claimed, and you can select the one you like the look of.

Willing people only need to scan a QR code on their mobiles to pay the fee, which are paid in 20 minute intervals at 1RMB – just 11p.

If after 20 minutes the person decides not to carry on then the women – who are all models – simply return to their podium.

The shopping centre claims the event "blew up the whole city".

5 A girlfriend can be hired for as little as 11p for 20 minutes Credit: AsiaWire

5 One strict rule is imposed - no touching Credit: AsiaWire

5 The women, all models, will pose as your girlfriend whilst you go shopping - so the centre claims Credit: AsiaWire

5 The event was said to be a huge success by the shopping centre Credit: AsiaWire

The women could keep the men company as they trawled round the stores and would even carry their shopping, if asked.

People didn’t just have to go shopping but could also take the women out to lunch or on dates.

There was one strict stipulation though – no touching.

Men were not the only ones permitted to hire the women and there was no minimum amount you had to spend in the centre to be eligible to hire the women.

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The shopping centre said in a statement: "There were no requirements except the 1 RMB participation fee, with the venue limited to anywhere within the shopping complex.

"Every 'girlfriend' will also came with a photographer, who followed customers around and snapped pictures for them.

"On the day of the event, numerous women also took part and had their 'girlfriends' take care of their children and even help them with homework."

The event comes off the back of a similarly successful one held by the Friendship Commercial Plaza in Haikou, capital of Hainan Province in South China, which offered six smartly dressed boyfriends for rent at just 11p an hour.

Chinese shopping centre allows lonely women to rent a BOYFRIEND for 11p an hour… and they even come in Barbie-style boxes

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