Police are appealing for information after a man was glued to a public toilet seat in far north Queensland in what police describe as a 'sick joke'.

Police, ambulance officers and fire crews were called to the 70-year-old man's aid after he became stuck at the Cairns Central Shopping Centre toilets about 10:30am AEST on Saturday.

Police say someone smeared strong glue over the toilet seat and the man had to be taken to the Cairns Base Hospital to have the seat removed.

Shopping centre security footage is being reviewed and anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers or Cairns police.