php +newlines+mysql

I have a problem in php page: i want to insert into mysql database value $string with newlines: $string="-line1\n -line2 \n-line3"; $result2 = db_query("update table1 set column1= '$string' where ID = '$IDcurent'") or db_die(); When i try to view in a textarea control the new value from column1, the newlines disappear! ps.column 1 have type "text" or "varchar(100)" Is a problem of type? tx in advance for any help adi