Brainy graduates are training to be plumbers - to earn up to ￡150,000 a year.

One college course recruited two students with history degrees, one with a photography degree and two accountants.

The new breed of super-plumbers earn up to ￡90 an hour working for rich customers in the poshest suburbs.

Most plumbers rake in ￡1,000 a week or ￡52,000 a year. Many in the South East earn ￡70,000 a year for fixing pipes and taps.

The clever students are switching to a career where they know they can earn top wages.

But Ken Daniels who teaches plumbing at London's Hackney Community College, said: "Plumbers at the very top end are earning around ￡150,000 a year.　Graduates now want to be plumbers. They know the rewards are there if you're prepared to get your hands dirty."

One plumber claimed it was possible to earn ￡200,000 a year in London where emergency callouts are ￡100 an hour.