Police are releasing CCTV footage following investigations into an attempted armed robbery at a newsagency in Thornton last month.

About 4pm on Tuesday 17 November an employee was working behind the counter of a newsagency on Railway Avenue when a man entered the store armed with a knife.

Upon seeing the weapon the 57-year-old employee grabbed a baseball bat that was behind the counter and challenged the armed man.

The man holding the knife ran from the store empty handed and was seen getting into a silver dual or single cab utility that was parked nearby.

The man has been described as Caucasian in appearance and wearing a navy hoodie and beige shorts with silver and black sneakers and a white bandanna.

Anyone with information about this attempted robbery is asked to call Maitland Detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.