A popular park in China has installed facial scanners in a bid to cut down on toilet paper theft, according to local media reports.

The machines at Temple of Heaven park in Beijing are said to have been installed following reports of some people taking large amount of paper from the public toilets.

Citing a number of Beijing newspapers, BBC reports that the machines have been installed as part of a two week trial.

After an individual visitor's face has been scanned, the machine dispenses approximately 60 to 70cm of toilet paper.

Once they have been dispensed their allowance, the person will then have to wait nine minutes to get another length of paper.

Pictures shared on the social network Weibo showed people using the well-mounted devices, with some commentators making fun of the new system.

According to the People's Daily, the trial has not been without its problems.

Since the process takes around 30 seconds, there have been a number of complaints about queues and waiting times - and the machines in a particularly busy toilet are 'no longer in operation' as a result.

BBC adds that staff on the ground will provide extra toilet paper if any guests experience "diarrhoea or any other situation in which they urgently require toilet paper".

The news comes after tourism officials announced a significant investment in China's public toilets as part of a massive campaign to boost tourism in the country.