A POPULAR Bicester barman who died of meninigitis was last night described as the “life and soul of the party”.

The family of Ian North said he was a joker who always made people laugh.

The 22-year-old was found dead at his home in Warwick Court, Bicester, last Friday by police after he failed to turn up at work.

A post mortem confirmed he died from meningitis.

Mr North’s family, mum Trish Baughan, dad Nick North, brother Thomas, 20, and sister, Anna, 15, paid tribute to him last night.

Mrs Baughan, 44, said: “He was funny all the time, always cracking jokes. But he had a sensible side, he was the diplomat. He never wanted to take sides.

“All of his friends are cut up about it. He was very calm and laid back and he used to look after Thomas and Anna. We have lots of good memories of him.”

Mrs Baughan said avid Manchester United FC fan Mr North had been ill for about eight weeks before his death, but doctors said he had sinusitis.

He was at home alone when he died as Mrs Baughan and husband David were on holiday in Beni-dorm.

Soldier Thomas is based in Germany with the Royal Horse Artillery, and Anna lives in Derby with her father.

Mrs Baughan, a care worker at Cherwood House nursing home, near Bicester, said: “He’d been to the doctor three times – two emergency appointments and they said it was sinusitis.

“A week or so before we went on holiday he perked up and was eating. I knew he wasn’t right, but he seemed happy and was going back to work.”

Mrs Baughan said the day before she flew to Spain Mr North “was more his usual self.”

She said: “He gave me £20 and said ‘Get yourself a birthday drink’.

“I dropped him off at work and that’s the last time I saw him.”

She and his siblings sent text messages during the week Mr North died, but got no reply and started to worry.

But when he failed to turn up for work at the Penny Black pub Sheep Street last Friday, staff contacted police.

A former Cooper School pupil, Mr North was a rock music fan and played soccer for Bardwell and Launton football clubs. He was planning to start an Open University course.

His funeral will take place at Banbury Crematorium on Wednesday, at 11am. There will be family flowers only and a collection.

Both Anna and Thomas, who is due to deploy to Afghanistan in March, plan to speak at the service.

Anna said she had written a letter to her big brother, which she will read at the service.

She said: “I will talk about the things we used to do and how much I love him.”

His family will follow his wishes and play Killer Queen at the service after he told a friend he wanted the Queen tune at his funeral.