Stephen Moore and Paul Horton held their nerve to guide stunning Lancashire to a first County Championship title in 77 long years with an eight-wicket victory over Somerset on a day of high emotion at Taunton.

Having been set a target of 211 at around six runs an over for one of the most famous victories in their history, the Red Rose county were brilliantly served by their superb two openers, who put on 131 in 17 overs before Horton fell for 55.

When Moore followed for 71 there were still 76 runs needed, but Lancashire were ahead of the required run rate and had 17 overs remaining on a fast-scoring ground.

Steven Croft (40 not out) and Karl Brown (33 not out) saw them home with more than four overs to spare.

Peter Trego had earlier delayed the celebrations by scoring 120 in a Somerset total of 310 all out.

Ex-Old Trafford spinner Murali Kartik was 65 not out, but even their efforts couldn’t stop Lancashire.

The winning runs, hit by Croft, sparked jubilant scenes as Hampshire had already held Warwickshire to a draw at the Rose Bowl. Lancashire took 23 points to Somerset’s five and in the end took the title by a seemingly comfortable 11 points.

It was anything but that. A day of high tension with Lancashire started with Somerset 105-5 in their second innings, just five runs ahead.

An early finish seemed in prospect when hobbling skipper Glen Chapple removed nightwatchman Steve Kirby lbw and Craig Meschede, caught behind off a short ball, to make it 130-7.

But Alfonso Thomas put up a fight and he helped Trego add 75 by scoring 18 off 73 balls.

It was 205-8 at lunch with Somerset 105 ahead and Trego on 82. But if Lancashire thought the hard work was done they reckoned without Kartik.

He and Trego added a further 95. Lancashire took the new ball on 251-8, but neither man was troubled.

Kartik cut loose to reach his 50 with successive sixes off Kerrigan. But, just when it started to look as though Lancashire might face a daunting target, Trego was caught off bat and pad by Smith at short leg off Kerrigan.

The visiting team celebrated wildly and, after a further 10 runs were added, Gary Keedy ran out last man Gemaal Hussain with a direct hit at the bowler’s end from backward point.

Kartik was left unbeaten after facing exactly 100 balls and hitting two sixes and six fours.