Overlays polygon database - PostreSQL or MySQL?

Hi All,

I am trying to create a simple website that shows land areas (allotments as an initial test case) with extra information provided when a user clicks one of the areas. Essentially a cross between Chris’ Toad Map [1] & [2] and Nick’s OpenHants map [3]

From what I understand I will need to set up a PostgreSQL database with the PostGIS extension. Unfortunately the server host does not support this type of database.

My Question is therefore: Can I use a different database to serve up polygons (i.e. a standard MySQL server, or other)? If yes are there any good guides and what are the advantages / disadvantages over PostGIS?

Cheers,
RobJN

[1] http://leaflet.raggedred.net/toadmap.htm
[2] http://chris-osm.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=toad
[3] http://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-gb/2012-June/013371.html

Maybe some hints are at the OSM wiki about http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Databases_and_data_access_APIs