A woman who had the numerical equivalent of dyslexia at school has written a book to help young people manage their finances.

Iona Bain, 27, was told at her Edinburgh high school that she had dyscalculia, which is said to affect one in 20 people. Around one in four have difficulties with maths.

“I couldn’t work with numbers and still find it hard,” she said.

The music graduate’s book, Spare Change, developed out of a blog about money she started producing while playing in bands in Glasgow.

The impetus for the blog came after Ms Bain lost her cash savings when her pottery piggy-bank was stolen in a break-in.

“I was gutted and decided it was about time I found out how to manage my own money,” said Ms Bain, who writes for The Herald. Ms Bain’s father, Simon, is personal finance editor of The Herald.

Ms Bain’s experience has convinced her that anyone can learn to be good with money.

She said: “I believe savvy financial behaviour can be learned, it isn’t all down to personality or maths skills, or your earning power. We can master our money and achieve our personal financial goals, with the right strategy, information, support and attitude.”

Spare Change is published by Hardie Grant on Thursday 11 February priced £8.99.