alter table statement from within php web page

I would like to know how to add columns to an existing table. I've tried this - $qry = mysql_query("alter table exercises add column $fieldname char($length) not null") or die(sql_error()); but it doesn't work, I get this error - 1064: You have an error in your SQL syntax near 'lifts, char(25), not null' at line 1 I don't see any reference to this in the php manual or in the two php/mysql books that I have. Anybody know how to do this? -- Chip