Kent have clinched the LV County Championship Division 2 title.

Rob Key’s team, whose return to the top flight was already guaranteed, reached 250-5 against Leicestershire during the morning of the third day's play on Thursday.

Martin van Jaarsveld hit a single that secured the second batting bonus point needed to win the championship.

Van Jaarsveld, who was on 89 at the time, went on to make 146.

Fast bowler Amjad Khan, who had taken 4-46 in Leicestershire's first innings, said: "We were all disappointed to have gone down last year for the first time and we expected to come back up. We’ve done it in style, very comfortably in the end, and it means a lot to all of us."

The first day of the match at Canterbury was washed out before Simon Cook (5-44) and Khan (4-46) helped bowl Leicestershire out for 148.

Van Jaarsveld's ton was backed up by 89 from Geraint Jones as Kent made 453 in their first innings. Former Kent wicketkeeper Paul Nixon carried his bat for 173 as Leicestershire totalled 350-2 declared in their second innings.

Kent’s players will receive £90,000 for winning the title, while the county will get £25,000 in prize money.

The ECB’s managing director Hugh Morris presented the trophy at the end of the game on Friday.

Picture: Barry Goodwin