It's a sign of the times – Dartmouth's 30-year-old indoor swimming pool dream coming true.

The signs, which have gone up at the site of the £2.5m new pool, confirm that construction work on the complex is all set to begin next year.

Dartmouth and District Indoor Pool Trust chairman Sir Geoffrey Newman said: 'This is the best possible Christmas present for us all.

'It has been a long, hard road to reach this point, and the work is not over yet, but we are delighted to announce, thanks to the help of our main funders and all our supporters, that work will begin on the build next year.'

The trust has unveiled new signs at the site of the new build announcing that work will begin next year, thanks to the committed support of Devon County Council, South Hams Council and Dartmouth Town Council – all of whom are backing the project with cash and all of whom are thanked on the sign.

Construction is scheduled to begin after the planning process is completed – with a 'ground-breaking' ceremony planned for the end of next summer, said Sir Geoffrey.

The first campaign for a covered heated swimming pool began in Dartmouth as long ago as 1949.

Campaigners did succeed in building an outdoor heated pool in the 1980s but it is now at the end of its life. The trust hopes to see residents of Dartmouth and the surrounding communities taking the plunge at the new pool some time in 2013.

Meanwhile, the trust needs people with managerial and professional skills to bolster the small team of trustees who have worked to get this far. It also needs more volunteers to raise funds for specific items of equipment such as life-saving and first aid equipment, a disabled hoist, starting blocks, lane ropes, clocks and digital timers, notice boards and white boards for announcements, teaching aids and special hygiene and pool cleaning equipment.

Sir Geoffrey said: 'There are specific items of equipment to be bought and professional skills to be sought to ensure that this pool will thrive in the long-term as a first class addition to the life and well being of our residents and visitors. It will also of course bring employment opportunities to the town, which is very welcome.'

Anyone who thinks they can help can contact the trust on [email protected]">[email protected] or by speaking to any of the trustees.