Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a licensed premises near Newcastle last night.

About 10pm (Sunday 29 May 2016), a male armed with a firearm entered a licensed premises on Lake Road at Argenton.

Police have been told the armed male threatened staff, before taking cash and leaving in the direction of Lake Road.

There were no shots fired during the robbery and there were no reports of injury.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and a crime scene was established.

Detectives would like to speak to a male who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall and of solid build.

Anyone who was in the area of has any information about the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police will co-ordinate a search for a man who went missing while on a camping trip in the Hunter Valley region yesterday.

The 43-year-old man was last seen about 4am (Saturday 28 May 2016), when he walked away from the Timor Caves Camping Ground near Murrurundi.

His group became concerned after he failed to return and they conducted a search of the area without success.

Police were contacted about 7pm.

A co-ordinated land search will commence at 7am today (Sunday 29 May 2016), utilising officers from Hunter Valley Local Area Command, the Dog Unit, PolAir, Northern Region Operations Support Group, Murrurundi State Emergency Service and Murrurundi Volunteer Rescue Association.

The missing man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm tall and about 70kg. He has blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing jeans and a jumper.

Anyone with information should contact Muswellbrook Police Station on (02) 6542 6999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.