Police are appealing for public assistance following an attempted armed robbery at a service station in Kew on Wednesday.

Investigators have been told a man entered the Willsmere Road store as a member of staff was mopping the floors just before 2am.

The man was wearing a pair of skins shorts over his face and holding a hand gun and demanded the staff member stop what he was doing.

The staff member said to the man he did not believe the weapon was real and refused to comply.

The man then left the store in a green Hyundai or similar and was last seen heading west on Earl Street.

Two other people are believed to have been in the car, one driving and the other in the back seat.

The offender is perceived to be of African appearance, 173cm tall with a thin build.

He was wearing a black windcheater with a Chicago Bulls logo on the front, black tracksuit pants with three white stripes down the side and white runners with an orange sole.

Police have released images and CCTV of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.