Police investigating the armed robbery of a service station at Cessnock yesterday have released images of two men they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

About 4.20am (Tuesday 14 January 2014), two men entered a petrol station on Wollombi Road, armed with a shotgun and a baseball bat.

The men threatened the male console operator, demanding money.

They took cash and cigarettes before fleeing on foot. The men were last seen running west along Wollombi Road.

The staff member was not injured during the incident.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended a short time later and established a crime scene that was examined by forensic specialists.

Investigators have released CCTV images of two men they want to interview in relation to the robbery.

The first man depicted is of Caucasian appearance, about 173cm tall, with a medium build. He is shown wearing a black hooded jumper with a white emblem on the front, dark pants and wrap-around sunglasses.

The second man depicted is about 170cm tall with a slight build. He is shown wearing a grey hooded jumper.