PUTTING a marquee up in the summer is, you’d have thought, a safe bet. Not with Britain’s unpredictable weather though.

For the gale force winds that are today (Friday) lashing the country caused one casualty in the Potters Bar area – the marquee at RSPCA Southridge.

Just six days ago, the marquee had stood proud and housed some 200 guests who were attending an Abba tribute fundraiser at the animal centre in Packhorse Lane, South Mimms.

But 50mph winds saw the structure come tumbling down this morning

The bad weather has also caused the cancellation of a flyball tournament due to be held this weekend.

Terry Pavey, chairman of the Friends of Southridge, had organised the Abba Sensation Night to raise funds which will be used to treat Abbott and Daisy, two long-stay dogs waiting for homes.

He said: “How lucky were we.

“Had the weather turned nasty last Saturday, with this lot coming down, the whole thing would have been a disaster – months of planning just gone bang.”

While the marquee escaped actual damage, a smaller tent also used for events at the centre was “a write-off”, Mr Pavey added.