Private Sub AreaGrid_ItemDataBound(ByVal sender As Object, _
        ByVal e As System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGridItemEventArgs) _
        Handles AreaGrid.ItemDataBound
    If e.Item.ItemType = ListItemType.Header Then
     
        'remove third cell and extend the second cell 
            e.Item.Cells.RemoveAt(2)
            e.Item.Cells(1).ColumnSpan = 2
          
        Return 
    End If
End Sub