Police have charged a 25-year-old man following the alleged attempted armed robbery of a Mudjimba news agency this afternoon.

It will be alleged just before 3pm, a man entered the Mudjimba Esplanade store armed with a knife and demanded money from a female employee.

The staff member refused his demands and struck the man with a bag of rubbish before he fled the store.

A male employee followed the man before a struggle ensued and he was detained until police arrived.

A 25-year-old Maroochydore man was charged with one count each of attempted armed robbery and failing to dispose of a syringe.

He will appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court tomorrow.