Matt Cole
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Kent

Kent have upped their run rate in the second session, scoring at four an over but also losing four wickets to a persistent and accurate Gloucestershire attack.

Still trailing by 78 runs, it looks more and more like the two captains will have to concoct a run-chase to give the visitors a chance of the victory they crave to keep hopes alive of the second promotion place.

There was another landmark for Kent this afternoon as skipper Sam Northeast joined Joe Denly in passing 1,000 runs for the season, but his dismissal and that of Denly two balls later might signal the end of Kent’s tilt at going up to the top tier.

So the maths is as follows.

This victory takes Essex to 209 points.

Even if Lancashire win, and you have to say that is unlikely given the situation in Taunton, they will go to just 169 points.

That would leave them 40 points behind Essex with 48 available from the two remaining matches.

If Lancashire draw against Somerset their maximum total would be 206 and title will be Essex's, a Somerset win would of course also confirm that.

Here is the moment that sealed victory for Essex over Warwickshire.

It was Simon Harmer's fourth of the innings and means Essex are on the verge.

Not quite the dramatic Toby Roland Jones hat-trick of last season but Essex won't care one bit. With that dismissal of Chanderpaul at Taunton the title may well still be confirmed today.

Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate speaking to Sky Sports: "It has been a case of a couple guys with bat and ball putting their hands up. If you give me a game I can tell you who won it for us.

"Irrespective of if we win today or tomorrow we need a maximum eight points. We want it officially done as soon as possible.

"We will sit here and enjoy this victory and keep an eye on what is happening at Taunton but we don't need to worry about there. We feel like that should be enough."

The 15:30 BST start at Uxbridge won't happen. The rain has returned and the covers are being hastily pulled out again. Even some of the players are lending a hand.

Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate says his team will not be spraying any champagne just yet but that he feels that win should be enough for a first title for 1992.

Full quotes to come...

While Essex were wrapping up their victory at Edgbaston, Yorkshire lose another wicket against Surrey, with Steve Patterson bowled by Stuart Meaker for seven. Andy Hodd is 41 not out at tea, with Jack Brooks on seven, and the White Rose county still trail by 217. Can they avoid the follow-on? Will Gareth Batty enforce it if they don't?

The photographers cameras are flashing as Essex coach Chris Silverwood embraces all of his players.

Ryan ten Doeschate leads his players from the field.

Essex are on the brink of a first title since 1992.

There it is! Essex win and they are all-but champions.

Simon Harmer takes the final wicket with Henry Brookes caught at bat pad.

It's hugs all round for the Essex players. It may not be mathematically true but they are effectively 2017 County Champions.

So how do Lancashire play this? Somehow they have got to win this match to keep their slim title chances alive for another week. Are they thinking about trying to secure a 200-run lead and then declaring? In Somerset's position near the bottom of the table, they can't afford to pass up a chance to win the game. First, though, Lancashire have to establish a lead - and they are still 36 in arrears.

Henry Brookes is playing nicely here in a losing cause. He drives Simon Harmer for four to move into double figures.

Warwickshire trail by 56. Essex are being delayed but only need one wicket to win.

Essex keep on chipping away as we head towards the end at Edgbaston.

Matt Lamb put up more fight than anyone in the Warwickshire top order but eventually fell to Simon Harmer.

Hats off to Callum Parkinson. The young Leicestershire spinner has Ben Cox caught at mid-off for 77 to finish with figures of 8-148 from 45 overs, only one of which was a maiden. Needless to say, that's a career-best.

Worcestershire lead by 89 - but is there enough time left in this game for them to earn a victory which would make them clear favourites for the second promotion spot.

Even the Essex coaches are smiling on the sidelines. The moment is almost upon us although it will not mathematically be the moment Essex seal the title. They still need Lancashire to fail to win for that.

Ryan Sidebottom joins Henry Brookes in the middle.

Alastair Cook is on his phone by the sight screen. Is he checking the Lancashire score?

Could we get some cricket at Uxbridge today? Fingers crossed.

Chris Cooke has reached a 64-ball fifty for Glamorgan, who are 208-5 in their second innings against Northants in Cardiff, a lead of 105.

Derbyshire are 278 in front against Sussex at Hove, having progressed to 211-5 despite the loss of Matt Critchley, who was caught off Stu Whittingham for 51.

Sam Billings has reached 45 not out for Kent against Gloucestershire at Bristol, where the visitors are 275-6 in the 78th over.