Newbie Create Table syntax

[Neil Harrison]

Hi,
I'm using MySQL 5.0.22-communnity-nt
Ive created a database called NEIL, that bit went ok.
I typed USE NEIL; in the command line, that bit went ok.
I typed CREATE TABLE checks
->(check numeric(6) not null,
->payee varchar(20) not null,
->amount decimal(6,2) not null,
->remarks varchar(20) not null);

this is where I get an error message ERROR 1064 (42000) ..check syntax near 'numeric(6) not null,
payee varchar(20) not null,
amount decimal(6,2) not null,
r' at line 2

I typed this above example table, word for word from SAMS Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days. I've also checked the MySQL 5.0 manual for the correct syntax and it is the same as above.
Ive changed the word not (as in not null) to the symbol '<>' and this changes the error message to read
check syntax near (check numeric(6) <> null,
payee varchar(20) <> null
at line 1

Am i missing something glaringly obvious??
Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.