keymappings - PHP or MySQL?

Hi, At the moment im getting a difference in keymappings between what is typed into a field and what is stored in the database. I have an html form that gets a text string called $email and this is inserted into a VARCHAR database feild via php, the problem is when special characters are included in the email address. For example baldey_uk@softhome.net gets stored in the database as baldey\uk@softhome.net. Has anyone seen this before? Is this a PHP or mysql issue? Do i have to set special options to use a UK keymap or something like that? If anyone has any links to docs that deal with this sort of thing i'd really appreciate them!! Cheers From baldey_uk