Stripping varnish from pine furniture

I have some pieces of pine furniture - you know the stuff: yellow with hard varnish that scuffs easily but doesn't appear to want to come off when you want it off! Well, what can I use to strip off the old stuff to create a nice clean surface that paint will adhere to? Please!! the furniture is fine - I just can't stand looking at this dated yellow pine any more!

Lots of thanks in advance xxxxxx

Id think about having em dipped..

Far easier and by the time you have weighed in for the paint stripper etc it might not be that much more expensive...plus youll end up with a better job.

Thanks for the kisses...(unless your a geezer!)