[PHP-WIN] Images in MySql

[PHPWIN]

Hi there
  I was wondering if anyone knew if it is a good idea to store gifs, jpegs or swfs in 
MySql.
The problem is that the server I host my site on doesn't give HTTP write permissions 
and has disabled FTP functions in php. I would like to allow users to upload images 
and store them locally on the server.

Any ideas?

Thanks 
Xon