Since Saturday, a hotline on the information directory desk, known as "114" in China, has provided a new service guiding residents of Shenyang, Liaoning Province, to the nearest public toilet.

The service can tell people how to find one of 220 public toilets whenever they call.

Open 24 hours a day, the service is also available for those writing the text message of "looking for a public toilet" with the street they are in.

www.xinhuanet.com