Question : MySQL, PHP does table exist

I need a way to determin if a table exists in a MySQL database prior to creating it.
This function needs to work in PHP

Ex

if (!tablename exists)
{
CREATE TABLE tablename (field 1, etc....)
}
else
{
echo "Table existss already!"
}

I need the function that determines if the tablename exists.

Thanks,

Keith

Answer : MySQL, PHP does table exist

... or :

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS mytable (...)