WEST Somerset could have a new public swimming pool by 2017 if an ambitious community-led project gets off the starting block.

Retired engineer Peter Wellstood is behind the campaign to give the district back a facility it lost when the West Somerset Council-owned Aquasplash leisure centre closed just over five years ago.

He has been working behind the scenes for the past year, slowly gathering support from local authorities and other organisations in a bid to build a 25-metre pool with disability access, a gym, possible learner pool, cafe and children's play facilities in Minehead.

And having set himself a five-year deadline he is convinced the dream can be achieved.

"I've spent a year working on this so far, I believe it would take a year to build, so that leaves three years to get the finances together," he said.

Mr Wellstood, who is chairman of the PALS water fitness club, estimates the facility would cost £4.5 million to construct and is currently considering a number of potential sites.

It would be owned and run by a charitable trust, giving it more of a chance to become self-financing and not be scuppered by the struggle to meet running costs - which was the district council's reason for closing and later demolishing the 15-year-old Aquasplash.

"There is absolutely no question that there is a need for a pool in West Somerset and the support I am getting is really fantastic," said Mr Wellstood.

"If you look at pools across the country, it is largely the local authority owned facilities that have difficulties meeting running costs.

"But there are a number of privately owned pools that are open to the public and that manage to be self sustaining."

The pool would be big enough to be used by swimmers at competition level and would also have a viewing area.

Mr Wellstood said the project, which was unconnected to PALS but was being spearheaded by a handful of local people, was now ready to move onto the next stage - a feasibility study.

With bids for financial support from Sport England, Lottery and other major funders likely to be

made to help cover the cost of the pool itself, Mr Wellstood said he would also be hoping to secure the £15,000 to £20,000 needed for the feasibility study through grants.

"Once we have a business plan, we will know a lot more of the details.

"But this is not just a pipe-dream. Someone said to me recently that they'd heard I was trying to get a new pool for the area .

"But I said no - I am going to build a pool - no question about it."

Mr Wellstood will be outlining his plans to Minehead town councillors at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday.

Minehead Mayor Cllr Tony Berry told the Free Press one of the potential sites for the pool was at the Irnham Road recreation ground, where the former Barringtons venue is likely to be demolished.