Use the short description in the product description

[Pepozzo]

Hello,

i would use the short description in a product description.
I need to use it in a PHP script, that then generate other contents in the product.tpl page.

so, i try to use this code (for example):

{php}
$short_des = "{/php}
{$product->description_short}
{php}";

echo $short_des;{/php}

but it doesn't work.

any suggestions?

thanks in advance and marry xmas