Methodism is dying in Britain, a senior researcher reports.

"By contrast, immigration from Africa and elsewhere has led to growth in Pentecostal churches, where the worship style is more flamboyant," Dr David Voas, a senior researcher at Manchester University's School of Social Sciences continued.

Pentecostals now outnumber Methodists at church services in England, according to a survey.

Evidence for the shift comes from the English Church Census, conducted by the independent charity Christian Research, and substantially sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council.

The century-old branch of Christianity is in third place behind the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church in terms of attendance for the first time.

The research will alarm leaders of the 200-year-old Methodist Church, which will next year celebrate the tercentenary of the birth of Charles Wesley, a prolific hymn writer, and the brother of John, the founders of Methodism.

According to the census, Sunday attendance at Methodist churches has fallen from 289,400 in 2005 to about 278,700 in 2006. The number of Pentecostals in church on an average Sunday has risen above 288,000.