THEY'RE sweet, sticky and just a little bit bad for you in very large doses.

This week, the husband and wife behind Oxford's beloved iScream gelato store celebrated their fifth anniversary at Oxford Covered Market.

Graham and Jen McDonald were joined for the sugary celebration on Tuesday by their fellow treats trader Julia Atkinson, who runs Happy Cakes bakery.

Read also: Man charged with murder in Oxford

The Covered Market's official Twitter account, which shared this photo, said: "Hip Hip Hooooooorrrraaaaay to Graham, Jen and the rest of the fantastic team at iScream Oxford – they opened five years ago today!

"Come by and say hello! Every fifth customer gets a free gelato and if you're quick one of these delicious cakes made by Happy Cakes will be yours!"

Ms Atkinson added: "I am delighted to help a fellow indie Oxford business celebrate their fifth birthday."

The gelateria has its origins in a holiday in Tuscany more than a decade ago.

Read also: Warning about rogue face coverings being sold in Oxfordshire

After encountering a gelateria in a Tuscan village which was crammed with customers from dawn 'till dusk, Mr McDonald – who was then working as an estate agent – said he had an epiphany and suddenly announced: "I’m going to open a gelateria one day."

He and his team now sell gelato and sorbetto in a host of flavours from coffee to bubble gum.

Following the Covered Market's reopening on June 15 after lockdown with a comprehensive set of new safety measures, iScream has also put in some precautions including black and yellow tape across the floor to help people to keep a safe distance.