Security footage of five masked men storming a Christchurch petrol station overnight has been released by police.

It's the third armed hold-up of a city service station in just over a week.

The five offenders burst into a Caltex service station on Main North Road, Redwood, just after midnight.

Two of the men were armed – one with a crowbar, and another with a tomahawk.

They demanded cash and cigarettes before fleeing in a car later found abandoned.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Police.