Does the variable have the <br> in it, or does the value have the <br> in it?
$a = "any<br>title";
It looks like you are talking about the value of the variable, which can change as needed of course.
We DO ask for “working pages” or “working examples” so we can see what you see and the code that you are using. (Avoids a lot of guessing on our part. Permits accurate replies.) See our posing guidelines if you’ve forgotten.