Police are appealing for public assistance after an armed robbery near Newcastle yesterday.

About 8.30pm (Sunday 29 November 2015), a man entered a fast food restaurant on Main Road, Edgeworth, and jumped the counter.

The man appeared to be holding a gym bag with a firearm inside it. He threatened staff and demanded cash.

He was given cash before he fled the scene, and was last seen running west on Main Road.

The man has been described as Caucasian appearance, aged in his late 40s, about 180cm tall, with blue eyes, and he was wearing a black face covering over his mouth and a black hooded jumper with green writing on the front and long black pants.

Detectives from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.