Refurbishing a Pine Farmhouse Table

[Simon_G]

We have a six-seater farmhouse table that's currently painted all white and looking like it's in need of a new lease of life. We're wanting to sand down and return the table top to its natural pine and stain it, and have the rest recoated with a fresh coat of white.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to whether I should varnish, wax or oil the table top? I enquired about this at a local pine factory and was told to use wax on it, but just trying to gauge what would give the best all-round finish.

Thanks for any help or advice.

Cheers,
Simon