The two offenders both had their faces disguised when they walked into the Matilda service station off the New England Highway, about 1.35am on Wednesday.

One man was armed with a machete and threatened the employee behind the counter before making off with cash and cigarettes.

CCTV shows the second offender standing guard at the front door as the hold-up unfolds.

New England Inspector Chris McKinnon told The Leader the armed man was wearing a patterned ear flap-hat.

“The male was holding a large machete at the time of the robbery, and made demands for the victim to hand over the property,” he said.

“We are seeking any information from the public, some of the clothing was distinctive, so if anyone recognises these two people, or believes they have information on the robbery, we’re asking them to come forward.

“The service station is off the New England Highway, so anyone who might have been passing through and saw something that wasn’t normal, we would urge them to contact Armidale detectives.”

One offender is shown in CCTV as being of Caucasian appearance, wearing a hooded jumper, tracksuit pants and shoes. He had part of his face covered. 

The second is depicted in the images as being of solid build, wearing a red hooded jumper and tracksuit pants, and was also wearing a balaclava-style face disguise.