Access pop3 mailbox in HTML

Can anybody help please?
I have a web site which needs to access the local SMTP server to send mail notifications from a shopping cart.
The SMTP server is configured POP3 before SMTP i.e to gain access to the SMTP server, POP3 must be checked first.
I can set up a dummy pop3 mail box. If I can check it in the HTML code, I'll be able to send through the SMTP server.
I have been using HTML for about 5 years, but I do not have a clue as to how to go about this.
Can anybody point me in the right direction please? Perhaps a tutorial or a few hints and tips?
Any useful information will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Chalky.

Using Python/CGI, I could write something to do this in about 5 min. Using PHP, maybe 8 min. But in HTML, it is impossible.

This requires some sort of server side language, or atleast a Java applet. What I recommend:
This question has been answered several times @ http://www.wsabstract.com 's Server Side Help, do a quick search in that forum and you should find a meaningful reply. If not, make a post in the very same forum and someobdy will come along and get you all the necessary functions.

Much obliged Jason. I'll pay them a visit.
I haven't been using php long enough to sort out a routine, but I'd sooner use php than java, so if you have any more suggestions I'd love to hear them.