Google’s Chrome became the number two browser in the UK during the month of July for the first time, according to StatCounter. The firm’s research arm StatCounter Global Stats reports that Chrome took 22.1% of the UK market, up from 3.9% in July 2009. In the same period Microsoft’s Internet Explorer fell significantly from 61% to 46% globally and Firefox dropped slightly from 27% to 22%.

“Chrome continues to make significant gains in the browser market going from under 4% two years ago to over 20% today,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter. “Despite falling market share Internet Explorer still leads in the browser war but the next few months will be interesting to watch with Chrome and Firefox almost neck and neck.”

Chrome is also performing particularly well in Ireland where it overtook Firefox in May to become the number two browser. In July it reached 27.7%, ahead of Firefox’s 24.2% but still behind IE at 39.9%.