Lancashire captain Mark Chilton said there were no excuses for his team's failure to win the County Championship.

Chilton's side had the third day of their match against Hampshire limited to five overs by rain - on the same day Sussex were crowned Champions.

Chilton said: "Sussex have won more matches than us and are worthy champions so congratulations to them.

"There is no point in blaming the weather because we did all we could to win the Championship."

Rain in a number of Lancashire's home matches during the season had frustrated fans of the Red Rose, but Chilton - whose team were also pipped by Sussex in the C&G Final - was graceful in defeat.

He said: "I am proud of the way we played throughout the summer and finishing runners-up is no meant feat.

"Sussex are a powerful side in all departments and, over the five months, they proved themselves to be the best team.

"There were one or two occasions when we might have won had it not been for the weather, notably at Blackpool when we were on top against Warwickshire, but I prefer to look for the positives.

"We picked up more batting bonus points than any other team and a lot of our younger players have developed outstandingly during the summer.

"If we can keep them all together and they continue to improve, there is no reason why we cannot win titles in the future."