replacing <p> for <br> tags

[amrigo]

Hi

How can i use preg_replace functions to replace any kind of <p> tag (<p><p/><p /></p></ p>) for <br> tags?

So:
<p>Test Text for text, Test Text for text, Test Text for text, </p><p>Test Text for text,&nbsp; Test Text for text,</p><p>Test Text for text, </p><p></p>

Should become:
<br>Test Text for text, Test Text for text, Test Text for text,
<br><br>Test Text for text,&nbsp; Test Text for text,
<br><br>Test Text for text, <br><br><br>

There is any other function i can use to get the same result?

Thank´s in advance!

[Roger_Ramjet]

str_replace()

[amrigo]

This way?
$text = str_replace("%p%", "br", "<%br%>");