Durham has become England's County cricket champions for the first time after dismissing Kent before lunch in their four day game and then seeing Nottinghamshire lose to Hampshire at Trent Bridge.
Durham, who were admitted to the competition in 1992, finished the 16-match season with 190 points, ahead of Nottinghamshire (182) and Hampshire (178).
They held their nerve going into the last match as Nottinghamshire also had a chance of taking the title.
Kent's home defeat meant they were relegated for the first time since the two-division championship arrived in 2001.
Kent went down and will accompany Surrey in the second division next season.
Warwickshire and Worcestershire were promoted from Division Two.
