Farewell to a class viking; TRIBUTES: Last respects paid to 'brother who broke the mould'.

Byline: By Crystal Deane

A MAN who brought history to life in schools across Birmingham and the Black Country has died.

Ivor Wilcox, known to generations of children as Bjarni Eriksson the Viking, died of renal cell cancer.

The 47-year-old died at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, and was cremated at Gornal Wood Crematorium.

More than 100 mourners, including some in costume, were at the crematorium service along with Wolverhampton-born Mr Wilcox's younger brother David, 45, parents Rosemary, 71, and John, 74, and reptile expert friend Mark O'Shea.

David said: "The phrase 'they broke the mould when they made him' was written for my brother. I will remember him with a beer in one hand, some food in the other and a smile on his face."

A typical day would see Ivor in a primary school hall wearing full Viking costume and surrounded by 90 or so pupils.

He would often have a cart, laden with goods - jewellery, weapons, household items - to demonstrate Viking life.

Elaine Saunders, writing in the Times Educational Supplement in 2001, said: "Bjarni is mesmerizing.

One moment a dominant and raucous martinet, another a cuddly comic."

Mr Wilcox, from Wall Heath near Dudley, was a founder member of the Longship Trading Company.

CAPTION(S):

LIVING HISTORY... Bjarni and Edryc Eriksson, the Wilcox brothers.