Police are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a service station in Lyndhurst yesterday morning.

Investigators have been told a man entered the store on Dandenong-Hastings Road around 2.45 armed with what is believed to be a small axe.

He confronted a staff member, demanding cash.

The 32-year-old store attendant locked himself in a back room while the offender seized items from the front counter, placing them in a black backpack.

Dandenong Embona Taskforce detectives are investigating the incident and have released images of the man they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

The man police wish to speak to is described as being Caucasian, aged between 25-30, 183cm tall, of medium build with brown hair.

He was wearing a black hooded Jumper, black tracksuit pants with three stripes down the outside of the leg, white sneakers and a white glove over his left hand.