We've been pretty consistent all year, and that was a big contributor to our success Ian Bell Warwickshire claim title

Warwickshire young guns Ian Bell and Jim Troughton told BBC Sport winning the Championship was a career highlight to match their England call-ups.

Bell, 22, and Troughton, 25, were key factors in the Edgbaston outfit claiming their first title since 1995.

Bell said: "This is well up there for me. We've been at the top for a while and it's nice to know it's over."

Troughton said: "It's awesome and I'm thrilled. I've been lucky to play for England and this is memorable as well."

Warwickshire were not pre-season favourites to win the title, and even their two young stars did not hold out much hope.

When asked if he had thought this would be Warwickshire's year, Bell replied: "To be honest, I didn't really.

"With the side we have I saw us competing in a few years' time.

"We are a young side. I thought we'd have a good chance with a couple of years' more experience under [captain] Nick Knight.

"Even though we lost sessions along the way, we didn't really lose any heavily.

"But we've been pretty consistent all year, and that was a big contributor to our success."

I didn't think we would go as far as we have, but it's a funny old season Jim Troughton

Troughton, who played for England's one-day side last year, said that although ambitions were high, expectations were not.

"At the start of the year, 'Knighty' was saying that we had quite a young team," he recalled.

"He said we would chase all trophies but that there was no pressure on us.

"I didn't think we would go as far as we have, but it's a funny old season.

"Lancashire, Sussex and Surrey looked to be the strongest teams, but we've done it all season and haven't lost a game yet.

"We've held onto draws when we were on the back foot, and stayed ahead of the game.

"The Championship is the ultimate for any county cricketer."

Although winning only five games, Warwickshire lost none and batted their way to glory with big first-innings totals.

"You need to get big scores in the first innings," Bell said.

"If you can get 400-500 on the board all the time, you put the pressure on.

"We were fortunate enough to do that consistently, and it gives your bowlers the best chance of bowling a team out twice.

"It's great winning a one-day trophy, but in the Championship the most consistent side in the season will win.

"After all the hard work we put in over the winter, it's just nice to be able to sit back having actually won it."

Bell has enjoyed a fantastic summer, scoring 1,473 Championship runs and making an impressive Test debut against West Indies.

It followed two seasons in the doldrums in 2002 and 2003.

"Those couple of years were tough, but this is special," Bell said.

"Those years were character-building, and hopefully this year I've repaid the runs I should have got then.

"This summer has been great for me and I wouldn't change anything at the moment.

"This year has been great for Warwickshire and to have a helping hand in winning the Championship and getting a Test call-up was absolutely fantastic."