Final farewell to 'Viking' Ivor

More than 100 mourners including some in costume today gathered to say farewell to popular Viking re-enactor Ivor Wilcox.

Mr Wilcox, known to thousands of pupils by his Viking name Bjarni Eriksson, dedicated his life to making learning and history fun. He died at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, earlier this month from kidney cancer, aged 47.

Among mourners at today's service at Gornal Wood Crematorium were his younger brother David, 45, parents Rosemary, 71, and John, 74, and friend reptile expert Mark O'Shea.

Friends formed a salute using Viking-style weapons as his coffin was brought into the crematorium for a service led by the Reverend David Hoskin.Hymns were Jerusalem and Morning has Broken and there was a tribute from brother David.

He 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."

Mr Wilcox, of Albion Street, Wall Heath, was a founder member of the Longship Trading Company and would dress up as Bjarni to visit schools and educate children about the past. He was also involved in Elizabethan and Tudor re-enactment.