News

A restaurant in China has enjoyed an unexpected rise in custom after being hit by flood waters.

Owners of the eatery in Xiangfan planned to close it down after the heaviest rains in 50 years hit the city, causing a build-up of ankle-deep water around the premises.

However, local diners and tourists heard about the restaurant and flocked to the location to take part in a novel eating experience, the Xinhua news agency reports.

The establishment is now regularly packed with customers and staff are struggling to wade through the water and keep up with the high numbers of orders.

One diner said: 'It's very cool. Not only in temperature, but also for a fun new way of having a meal.'

While the recent torrential rains in Xiangfan, in central China's Hubei province, may have benefited the restaurant's business, they have had devastating effects elsewhere, with more than 1m people thought to be affected by the downpours.

The city of Xiangfan is located south-west of China's capital Beijing, which will be welcoming tens of thousands of tourists next month for the 2008 Olympic games.

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