BEIJING (AFP) - Couples looking to enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day at one Chinese cinema will be out of luck this Friday, thwarted by singles who bought up all the odd-numbered seats.

According to the Shanghai Morning Post, a group of Internet users reserved every other seat at a Valentine's night showing of "Beijing Love Story" at a movie theatre in the city's Xintiandi shopping complex.

A graphic published by the paper shows how the group accomplished their mission, with every other ticket successfully purchased by the singles so that no two adjacent seats are available.

"Want to see a movie on Valentine's Day?" reads an online message by the stunt organiser, known by the initials UP, according to the newspaper.

"Sorry, you'll have to sit separately. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Give us singles a chance."

The user described himself as a computer nerd who broke up with his girlfriend last year.