Searching and utf8 char comparisons

[eluser]ironlung[/eluser]
Hi all


I am looking for some help on a methodology to provide flexible searching. My question is simple if I store Página in a database field I want to be able to search on and return that data if my query contains página, Página or pagina for example ie case insensitive and special char insensitive for want of a better term.

If anyone could point me in the right direction to set up mysql and work within php / ci that would be kewl.

I am sorry to waste all you guru's time with my facile questions.

Many thanks in advance for your help.


Regards