Selecting and grouping similar fields in mysql to populate a dropdown -

I have a selected field that I need to populate from mysql in preparing for execution in search [when Form is deposited]

  # 3 # 3 sp # 4 # 4 Las # 4 pp # 4 pi # 4 pvc 2b2b pvc 2b / pi  

I select them in select control and group is required so that option View types:

  & lt; Option value = "# 3" & gt; # 3 & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "# 4" & gt; # 4 & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "2b" & gt; 2B & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "ALUM" & gt; ALUM & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "QQ" & gt; QQ & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "QQ 2A" & gt; QQ 2A & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "ro pvc" & gt; RO PVC & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "SCRP" & gt; SCRP & lt; / Options & gt; & Lt; Option value = "scraps" & gt; SCRAP & lt; / Option & gt;  

Without all the prefixes, all the groups will no longer be the first two letters and all items will not be grouped, i.e. there are such things on:

  ALUM QQ QQ 2A RO PVC SCRP scrap  

Those items should not be grouped.

What I am currently doing is the direct selection:

  Choose from different inventory_data (end), where `FIN '! = 'Order' 'over; Unfortunately, this is an existing database that I can not change and for this there is no group table or relationship to do this  
 To do this Any suggestions on the best way?  
  Updates   
 
 There are more than 10,000 records, about 50+ or ​​so many end types  
 Some patterns, though Things can be told from the group like "AB starts with AB, but not AB", to keep things confused, AB can join another finish type i.e. # 2 ABS, so I use things Can not do as: As we think things, sometimes we think '% AB%'    
 
 
  
 The solution was:  
  Select different (end) from inventory_data where `again '! = '' And 'finish' no 'REGEXP' ^ # 2 | ^ # 4; ^ BA; Etc. 'order' by `finish ';  
 
 Then just add the requirements after adding the query. I can use various REGEX for some more complex circumstances