A VICAR has appeared in court charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Peter Low is vicar of the United Benefice of Heybridge with Langford in Essex.

The 64-year-old was charged with three counts of possession of indecent images of children and one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child in a brief hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

All counts relate to July 27 last year.

Low, of Crescent Road, Heybridge, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. No pleas were entered.

The defendant was bailed to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 29 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

As part of his bail conditions he must not have unsupervised contact with under-18s.

He has been suspended from his duties by the Diocese of Chelmsford.