Maths whizz turns down £100,000 a year to become a plasterer

A mathematics master has turned down the chance to earn £100,000 to become a plasterer taking home only £6,000 a year.

But 24-year-old Gemma McCoyd insists the low-paid job is her dream.

The first-class masters degree holder turned down an actuary job in the Square Mile after graduating university in 2006 and is now training to become a plasterer.

She is qualified to work in the building trade but is staying on at Leicester College for an extra year to land an advanced qualification to allow her to work in restoration.

She told the Daily Mail: “Some people have said I’m crazy but I thought I’ve got to try and do what I love now or I’ll always regret it.

“It would be amazing to specialise in the fancy stuff, because that’s what I seem to have a knack for.”

Ms McCoyd discovered her talent during art classes and has won training awards for her early work.