Mysql/php visitor search facility for image database

I have a website with a thumbnail image gallery generated from a mysql table using html and php4 (yes I know its old, but it works fine for me). Each image links to a page in a new window giving details of products featuring the image and an order form. The PHP was written for me several years ago by a freelancer who is no longer in business.

I would like to have a search button on the gallery pages where a visitor can input one or more search terms to return the same style of thumbnail gallery pages listing only the matching records from the mysql table. The search would be on one field of the record containing any number of keywords - best matches first and/or alphabetical, I don\'t mind.

There are currently nearly 500 records in the database and it may eventually grow to perhaps 1000. The search field is named keywords and it might contain as many as 20 single words or numerals separated by a single space, but that could be changed quite easily.

The entire site is pretty well set up around the existing gallery format and I really don\'t want to change it if it can be avoided. I am not mysql/php savvy myself so I would like to find a freelancer who would be happy about looking at the database and the original php pages and producing a search function for me that works with the existing setup.

I will not presently consider any proposals requiring me to switch to a new image gallery format, upgrade to php5, or to dump the existing database table.

This could be an interesting exercise for a new freelancer and provide some positive customer feedback on your PPH profile. But I have to say quick turnaround would be a big advantage in your bid since I am losing sales while the site is offline for redevelopment.

I look forward to hearing from you and good luck!