A disgraced former Powys vicar who admitted possessing more than 56,000 indecent images of children has lost his appeal against his jail sentence.

The Reverend Richard Hart, who also admitted taking and making indecent photographs of children, claimed his sentence of three-and-a-half-years was too harsh.

The 59-year-old appealed against his sentence last month but the Court of Appeal in London today confirmed it has been rejected.

A spokesman for the Court of Appeal said: “I can confirm that Hart’s appeal application has been refused by the single judge. We are now waiting to hear if his application will be renewed and taken further.”

Hart had been vicar of the rural parish of Beguildy, near Knighton. He served St Michael’s Church in Beguildy, St Cynllo in Llangullo, St Mary Magdalene in Bleddfa, St David in Heyope and St Padarn’s in Llanbadarn Fynydd, since 2001. He was suspended following his arrest in January.

Hart, formerly of The Vicarage, Beguildy, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court in September. The vicar, whose address in court was given as Horsell, Woking, admitted 12 charges of making indecent photographs between 1999 and 2007, and four of taking such images in July 1991.

He also admitted possessing a total of 56,832 photographs ranging from categories one to five, with five being the most serious.

A Church in Wales spokeswoman said the father-of-five would face a tribunal to decide his future with the church.

Hart was also suspended from his position as a governor at Beguildy School, where his wife Julie, 40, worked part-time. She was also arrested in connection with the offences and was given a caution.