how can i generate my XML file using php?

[titchyc]

i have a list of names, but i want to generate XML by reading through this file, but it isnt working?
<PERSON>
<NAME>
<FIRST>karen</FIRST>
<LAST>Bill</LAST>
</NAME
</PERSON>

this is my php file
<?php
$fruit = fopen("names.xml, "r");
echo '<?xml version="1.0" ?>';
echo '<person>';
while (! feof($names ):
$item = fgets($names);
echo '<NAME>$item</NAME>';
endwhile;
echo '</PERSON>';
fclose($names);
?>

dont work and ideas where i am going wrong